And we care for them at the only children’s hospital in the region.
Our children delight and surprise us. And as they grow, we trust their care to the only children’s hospital in the region. Because only Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital provides babies and children with the most comprehensive care.
From routine care to board-certi ed physicians in more than 30 pediatric specialties, we provide the widest range of services available.
It’s the expert care children need, conveniently located close to home.
STAR QUALITY CUISINE
EMERIL LAGASSE BUDDY VALASTRO
When it comes to exceptional dining, Sands Bethlehem always steps up to the plate in style. From tried and true home cooking to indulgent haute cuisine, you’ll discover a world of satisfying flavors. Nine distinctive dining options in all.
We proudly feature 3 signature eateries by world renowned Chef Emeril Lagasse, not to mention Buddy V’s Ristorante, brought to us by TLC’s Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro
There are so many superb ways to satisfy your appetite, try them all.
BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES NOW! Let us impress your guests with a variety of exceptionally prepared foods. Private banquet rooms available. Visit pasands.com for more information.
by
Photo
Marco Calderon
KRISTEN L. RINALDI krinaldi@lehighvalleystyle.com
Live Your Best Life
In a world where new diet crazes and trend workouts seem to be popping up every other day, the team at Style set out to narrow it down. We just wanted someone to tell us: What really constitutes enough sleep? Are we working out the right way to see results? How do we maintain a healthy diet without losing our minds? We embarked to answer the question: What do we need to do to live our best life? For the answers we received, turn to pg. 62, where local experts in various fields simplified the craziness that surrounds wellness and dished only the facts, so that you too can live your very best life.
Someone already living hers is Stephanie Rado Taormina. The loss of her father drove Stephanie to launch a brand inspired by his personal mantra: “Have some fun today.” Now, those words live on through her Berks County-based clothing line, Have Some Fun Today. Honoring her father’s legacy and inspiring others to adopt his same sunny perspective, HSFT encourages its tribe to live a balanced life and to sustain a positive outlook, even on the darkest of days.
We hope that Stephanie’s story, as well as the rest that this issue has to offer—a glance inside the refrigerators of local wellness professionals, pg. 75, a deeper understanding of cannabis for healing, pg. 49, and a wig makeover for a local woman going through chemo, pg. 38—will inspire you all month long.
Behind-the-camera action with Ken Volpe.
fridge styling by Shelbie Pletz.
WHERE SOMETHING NEW AWAITS
ALTAR’ STATE - COMING SOON FRANCESCA’S COLLECTIONS LOFT
LUCKY BRAND & MANY MORE
The one thing I must always have in my fridge is...
“Grilled chicken that I can turn into an easy meal in minutes!”
“Home-brewed, unsweetened herbal iced tea. My go-to right now is Tazo’s Iced Passion.”
“Half-and-half for coffee and leftover dessert—at all times!”
“Kerrygold butter for my bulletproof coffee in the morning.”
3245 Freemansburg Ave., Palmer, PA 18045 Phone: 610.923.0384 Fax: 610.923.0390
“Since I don’t drink enough water each day, I always have zero-calorie flavoring in the fridge to remind me to drink more!”
Cecilia Dilello
“Icelandic Provisions coconut yogurt. Whenever I find it, I stock up. It’s basically like finding gold.”
“Eggs! Perfect for a quick breakfast or if I am too lazy to make dinner.”
President/CEO: Paul Prass
Vice President/COO: Lisa Prass
Director of Creative Services: Erica Montes
Digital & Web Design Specialist: Barry Knoblach
Accounting: Donna Bachman
Circulation Manager: Andrea Karges
Digital Sales & Marketing Manager
How long have you been with IDP? How did you get started?
I’ve been working at IDP a little over seven months— so still a relative newbie! I got started in advertising sales and marketing about 12 years ago, after I graduated from Syracuse University. I moved to Hoboken, New Jersey, and began working in New York City. I always wanted to work in publishing, and after taking a position as a sales assistant at Fit Pregnancy magazine, I was hooked on advertising sales. I worked for several digital start-ups as well as some larger publishing companies in New York City. In this fast-paced and competitive industry, I was able to learn a lot and wear many different hats, which has come in handy throughout my career.
We know your title, but tell us, what do you really do?
I am responsible for our Central Services department. I help to manage our larger annual programs like Who’s Who, People’s Choice and Select Dentists. I also work in all of IDP's markets on our targeted display program. In addition to that, I am working with our publishers to develop marketing programs and events across all brands. A much shorter version would
be to say that I assist all of our publications in expanding their brand footprint and growing revenue.
Explain a little bit about what TDA can do for local business owners.
Targeted Display Advertising is a really powerful digital offering that, through a variety of strategies, allows a business to drill down to their specific target audience. We focus on helping businesses eliminate impression waste and make sure their advertising is in front of those actively in the market for their products and services.
What can readers see you drinking at an Insider Happy Hour?
A glass of pinot noir or a vodka soda.
What’s the best part about living in the Valley?
Coming from Hoboken, I was kind of bummed that we were leaving all our favorite restaurants and the close commute into New York City (and the ability to walk most places). After living in the Lehigh Valley for over three years, I love that there are so many areas and places to explore. It has also been a great place to raise our children with all of the family-friendly events and activities. I am looking forward to getting out even more and hopefully trying more restaurants.
We focus on helping businesses eliminate impression waste and make sure their advertising is in front of those actively in the market for their products and services.
What does your current health and wellness routine look like?
I wish I could say I’m an avid gym goer… these days, my health and wellness routine consists mainly of me running after my very energetic and adventurous one- and three-year-old [kids]. If I am lucky, I squeeze in some at-home pampering—a quick face mask and a glass of wine before bed.
What is the one thing you must always have in your fridge?
Cheese! I sadly cannot live without it.
Springwood
An abundance of French doors and windows splash sunlight throughout spacious rooms in a layout that invites elegant entertaining. 8716 sqft., four bedrooms, five and a half baths, pool, spa, and putting green. $2,490,000
Sunrise at Traditions
This tailor-made home in Traditions of America at Saucon Valley features upgrades in every room and a premium lot location. Elegant kitchen with oversized island, wet bar, office, 2 bedrooms, & 2 baths. $569,000
Wildberry
A premiere estate offering 9,686+ sqft. on 3 levels. Gourmet kitchen, great room with beamed cathedral ceiling and floor to ceiling stone fireplace, 5 BRs, 5 baths, grounds with koi pond & swimming pool. $1,850,000
Unami Ridge Winery
A rare opportunity to live a dream! Unami Ridge Winery is a beautiful custom built home on seven acres with a 5 acre vineyard just coming into mature production. Fully equipped & actively producing. $975,000
Summer Breeze
An immaculate home on an established one acre parcel, with limitless options for dining, shopping & recreation nearby. Gleaming kitchen, walk-out basement, lap pool, and Trex deck overlooking lush grounds. $649,000
The Hideaway
is home rests on 4.2 acres along Saucon Creek, w/ the Saucon Rail Trail at your doorstep. e interior is a blend of neutral tones & and sunlit open spaces. 3 BRs incl. an updated master on the main level. $495,000
Mill Run Farm
A unique and perfectly situated piece of land along Cook’s Creek. is stunning and private Bucks County horse farm offers a recently updated house and 21+ acres of cleared fields, pastures, and woodland. $1,529,000
Stunning historic stone home in impeccable condition. Hardwoods, crown
High Meadow Farm
Renovated 1830’s farmhouse featuring pumpkin pine floors, walk-in fireplaces and deep window sills, as well as modern conveniences. Perfect for equestrians, set on 25 open acres w/ renovated bank barn.. $874,000
Augusta Ridge
Exceptional open floor plan boasts tray, barrel and cathedral ceilings, Brazilian cherry and inlay oak floors, custom built-ins, & a 2-story entrance with turned staircase. Four bedrooms, four and a half baths. $1,125,000
This October, celebrate Pennsylvania Wine Month by learning something new at one of Pennsylvania’s more than 270 wineries. A vineyard tour, barrel room tasting, or casual run-in with a winemaker could be the first step towards unleashing your inner sommelier. Plan your PA Wine Month calendar at
Women of Style Networking Event
On Thursday, August 16, local business leaders and readers were invited to network amongst the 2018 Women of Style and Women Who Move the Valley, profiled in our August edition, at the Centennial Catering & Conference Center. Guests enjoyed a complimentary Prosecco welcome courtesy of South Italy Imports, networking games, exclusive photo opportunities, complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Centennial Catering & Conference Center and shopping from local boutiques, including: Love Obsessed, Massage Envy, Missing Piece and Sorrelli. Trunkloads of wish-list donations filled on-site
1. Daniels BMW vehicles filled with donations for The Perfect Fit for Working Women 2. The 2018 Women of Style 3. Display and Prosecco welcome courtesy of Centennial Catering & Conference Center and South Italy Imports 4. Hors d’oeuvres provided by Centennial Catering & Conference Center 5. Love Obsessed pop-up shop 6. Sorrelli pop-up shop 7. Complimentary massages provided by Massage Envy 8. Taylor Made Polish brand team
9. Premier sponsor, Muhlenberg College Wescoe School of Continuing Education 10. Missing Piece pop-up shop 11. Anthony Ashley/Silver Shears product prize wheel 12. Michele O’Grady, program manager of The Perfect Fit for Working Women
Women of Style Networking Event
Photography by Vlad Image Studio
1. Abby Kern and Abby Silfies 2. Alicia Baatz 3. Amy Recinos 4. Andrea and Christopher Barnes 5. Ashley Russo and Kelly Dunn 6. Carla Ott and Jamie Mineman 7. Christopher Lutz-Long and Christine Prantow 8. Kathy Kroll and Trisha Strucke 9. Elleni Pippis 10. Erica Rittenhouse and Carolyn Butera 11. Jacqueline Rakowski and Heidi Shaffer 12. Kristen Shea and Basil Leonetti 13. Shoshana Gosselin and Amy Bloom Coleman 14. Kristen Rinaldi, Ronell Martz, Pam Taylor, Kelli Hertzog, Pam Deller, Caley Bittner and Kellie Bartholomew
When back pain makes life feel like this, think St. Luke’s.
St. Luke’s Comprehensive Spine’s approach to treating back and neck pain will put life back into perspective. When pain makes small tasks feel overwhelming, call St. Luke’s. We can begin your evaluation over the phone and get you on a course to healing. We’ve got your back. And neck. And spine.
Women of Style Networking Event
15. John and Ann Marie Supinski, and James Supinski 16. Karen Ford and Michael Pierce 17. Rita Guthrie, Neva Kear and April Gabriel Ferretti 18. Lakeisha Bell and Kimberly Hairston-Hicks 19. Marybeth Griffaton and Michael Peters 20. Zakiya Smalls and Mildred Miller 21. Rachel Esteves and Samara Stork 22. Leigh Ehrlich and Jillian Ehrlich 23. Nancy Werteen, Carrie Fellows, Connie Challingsworth, Kim Howie and Khine Alkhal 24. Valerie Nicholas
Style Insider
1. Amanda Lovell and Trey Oswalt
Andrea Lang and Corrie Taylor 3. Anne Thompson and Todd Bushta 4. Balji Minhas, Ashley Robins and Jarrett Schaffer 5. Jan Oren, Sam Adams, Mark Baechle and Bill Savage
Jerri Kropf and Tammy Cameron 7. Lindsey Hutterer and Alexander Eseino
Mel Maloney and Janet Berkits 9. Denise and Paul Lichty
October 10 Things to Do This Month
Bangor Artisan Market
October 6: Head to this vintage-inspired artisan market to shop handmade gifts, antiques, repurposed items, home décor, art and jewelry. Enjoy a local beer garden, along with an array of food and sweet-treat vendors. The rain date is scheduled for October 7.
October 14: Come laugh until you cry when star of the hit Netflix show Lady Dynamite Maria Bamford takes to the SteelStacks stage. The comic’s long list of credentials, including her cult web series “The Maria Bamford Show” and her many appearances on shows like Arrested Development and BoJack Horseman, make her a true comedic star locals won’t want to miss.
October 5–7 & 12–14: Interested in authentic German culture done Pennsylvania style? Put on those lederhosen and head to the eighth annual Oktoberfest and sample some brews, enjoy delicious German food and rock out to live music! That’s not all; enjoy the popular dachshund races, the Yuengling 5K and the exciting “Beer-Lympics” competition!
October 6: Kick off fall on the right note and head to historic Downtown Bethlehem for the 13th annual Bethlehem Harvest Festival! Enjoy food and craft vendors, live music and the exciting Biergarten happening at the Sun Inn Courtyard.
Free | 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Main Street & the Sun Inn Courtyard 556 Main St., Bethlehem getdowntownbethlehem.com
Runner’s World Half and Festival
October 19–21: Take to the scenic streets of Bethlehem with the editors of Runner’s World magazine as they race to the finish line for their annual half marathon. Filled with live music, a prerace dinner with the editors, seminars, kids’ races and more, this weekend is truly worth the sprint.
October 26–28: Dare to enter this historical farm after dark? Discover what goes on in the night with chilling and thrilling activities for guests of all ages. Help solve murder mysteries, meet suspects and gather clues, explore the creatures of the night, play games, listen to ghost stories and more.
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm 347 Quiet Valley Rd., Stroudsburg 570.992.6161 | quietvalley.org
9
Haunted Hugh Moore Park
October 19–20 & 26-27: The spookiness in the park looms for the fifth year, as Haunted Hugh Moore Park lingers on. Prepare to be spooked as you take a ghost walk to the locktender’s house, tell ghost stories, enjoy hay rides and much more! There will even be a special Halloween canal boat ride on the Josiah White II, so bring the whole family for a spook-tacular evening.
Adults: $18; Children: $12; Under 3: free 6 p.m. | Hugh Moore Park
2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton 610.923.3548 x 221 | canals.org
7
Easton Food Truck Festival
October 21 : Eat and be merry when the Greater Lehigh Valley Mobile Food Alliance and the City of Easton host their third annual Food Truck Festival! Enjoy a variety of delicious food, drinks, craft beers and live music, and participate in some good ole-fashioned competition between the trucks.
Free | Noon–6 p.m. | Larry Holmes Dr. Easton | glvmobilefood.org
8 Easton Garlic Fest
October 6 & 7: Celebrate everyone’s favorite stinky food at Easton Garlic Fest! Eat it, smell it, cook it and hear musicians sing about it! Enjoy fabulous cuisines made by local chefs, along with great beer and some live music.
Free | 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Centre Square, Historic Easton 20 N. 3rd St., Easton | eastongarlicfest.com
Chambourcin Weekend
October 20 & 21 : Celebrate the Chambourcin grape during this special weekend event. With 40 acres of Chambourcin in the Greater Lehigh Valley, guests can sample an array of variations like nouveau, rosé, sweet, dry barrel-aged and sparkling!
Photo courtesy of Hugh Moore Park
Photo
Cubbage
By Daisy Willis
Though the band is based in the Philadelphia area, and lead singer Anthony Cubbage hails from Lansdale, their musical merit means there’s no end of Valley gigs for Cubbage, whose easy, impressive sound is heard in area restaurants, breweries and bars week in and week out.
Originally a solo act, it took Anthony Cubbage two cross-country busking adventures to discover his next journey: assembling a solid team. “I’m really happy with where it’s gone,” says Cubbage, whose vocals and guitar are complemented by John McDermott on bass, Joe Tocket’s drums and saxophone from Nabil Muquit. “Everyone brings something different to the table. They’re super talented and I’m so thankful to have them.” Together, Cubbage creates a sound that bridges the gap between technical skill in jazz and blues with the catchy engagement of indie pop/rock.
The fact that Hozier and John Mayer are influences is not surprising when one hears how the nimble melodies twine with thoughtful lyrics. Some songs meditate on philosophical and spiritual matters, acting almost as a mantra, rekindled with
each performance: “I write it thinking, every time you listen to this you’re going to be reminded to be more patient.”
A new EP is due out next summer, co-produced and arranged with Lawrence Gelboni, whose expertise is helping bring the band’s talent to a more polished potential. Find this and other EPs from Cubbage on Spotify, where they’re releasing a new single this month. If you’re out and about, you’ll probably stumble across the band live at a festival or favorite hangout, but you can put their next local performance in your calendar by checking the website’s tour page.
cubbagemusic.com
Joe Tocket
Nabil Muquit
Anthony Cubbage
John McDermott
Sweet Translucent Dreams ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
By Daisy Willis
Few cult films are as well-known as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975’s musical science-fiction horror-comedy about an innocent young couple caught up in the creepy carnival of Dr. FrankN-Furter’s mansion. Watch a screening in the Lehigh Valley and you might see Sweet Translucent Dreams (STD), a shadow cast of characters in front of the film bringing the show into 3D.
Now in its 15th year, STD was co-founded by Kyle Defina mostly because a local shadow cast didn’t yet exist. Something about the zany, campy film has conjured traditions like throwing rice, toast and toilet paper at certain cues, yelling out jibes in between lines (which have evolved to play on current events) and dressing up like the characters. A professional pantomime fits right in to the party atmosphere, and includes well-timed improv interludes.
“No two shows are the same,” Defina says. “There’s a little bit of everything in the entertainment game. It encompasses all your senses.” It’s easy to get involved since STD sells all the necessary throwables in a handy $1 pack.
Drawing more than 50 cast members from New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and, of course, Pennsylvania, the shadow cast has sold out shows in independent theaters, such as the Berwick alongside the Susquehanna and the Sherman in Stroudsburg (where their show drummed up business for what was then a newly revived enterprise), and appears regularly at the Emmaus Theatre and SteelStacks’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema.
“We like making people laugh,” Defina says, but there’s another inspiration to keep bringing fun-loving followers to screenings. Small independent one- and two-screen theaters raise a lot of money on these shows. “Doing something unique to bring in people and allowing something like that to survive, that’s as important as the movie.” stdrhps.net
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER17 • 5:30PM • ARTSQUESTCENTER AT STEELSTAC KS
Now–December 8: Feminism, women’s rights and women’s stories are at the forefront of our discussions in America right now. With the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements sweeping the country, empowered women are speaking up and standing out after years of being confined to the background. There is still more work to do— pushing forward and continuing to ensure that women are celebrated and included in every field and position available. In printmaking, The Future is Female, but so is the past.
With or without the recognition they deserve, female printmakers have engaged in the craft from the very beginning. With origins in eighth-century Japan, where designs were rubbed onto paper from wooden blocks, to the second half of the twentieth century, where an explosion of interest in the potential of printmaking gave birth to methods such as etching, engraving and silkscreen, women have long been using this medium to tell their stories and explore themes of gender, sexuality, race and economic class.
This exhibition at Lehigh University’s Teaching Museum highlights contemporary women artists like Faith Ringgold, Janet Fish, Morgan Maud and many more. It celebrates that the past, present and, of course, the future is female. On October 18, professor Lucy Gans hosts a gallery talk to discuss the exhibit and its artists, with a reception to follow.
BOOKS
Power Plates
by Gena Hamshaw
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK
Food52 author Gena Hamshaw is challenging the way society thinks about vegan cooking. Her new book, Power Plates: 100 Nutritionally Balanced, One-Dish Vegan Meals, focuses on the true art form of crafting the “perfect” healthy meal that delivers both lasting energy for the day and nourishment for the body and soul. With every recipe containing the key macronutrients for healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and proteins, Hamshaw strives to get the reader excited about the prospect of vegan cooking, as well as about a vegan lifestyle as a whole.
Judgment Detox
by Gabrielle Bernstein
From New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein comes a six-step process calling on spiritual principles. From A Course in Miracles, Kundalini yoga and meditation to prayer and metaphysical teachings, Bernstein wants readers to release the burdens holding them back from living a clear and proactive life.
The Year of Less
by Cait Flanders
In her late twenties, author Cait Flanders found herself at a crossroads, stuck in the endless consumer cycle of earn more, buy more, rinse and repeat. In a society that glorifies more, Flanders dared to strive for less, challenging herself to not shop for an entire year and only buy consumables. By consuming less, decluttering 70 percent of her belongings and diving headfirst into the zero-waste movement, Flanders found herself. She documents it all in The Year of Less—her discovery that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.
Carriage Knoll
Tuscany
Sky View
Foxcroft Chase
Edible Art
Like many of us, Kelly A. Kehs has always had a bit of an obsession with finding goodquality dark chocolate, but that drive led her to an incredible place—her own kitchen. “A few years ago, I started experimenting with my own recipes. I made samples for friends and family to try and gave them as gifts for special occasions,” says Kehs. “My creations had such a positive response that I thought, perhaps I should make a career out of it.” And that’s what she did, with fiancée Maribeth Allen, who joined her on the business and marketing side of the company. Together, they have created chocolate that is pretty out of this world. “It became our mission to create unique, hand-crafted and high-quality confections using local, natural ingredients,” she says. “We have also become known for partnering with other local businesses, creating pairings and/or infusions with their products.” The uniqueness of Zen Chocolate not only shines through their product, but also their personalities. “We are both artists, musicians and extremely creative individuals. Zen Chocolates are little edible works of art that are made with quality ingredients that we can stand behind and feel good about.” With delicious best sellers like the Sea Salt Caramel and Peanut Butter Almond Crunch, plus naturally infused truffles in flavors like Bananas Foster, Blackberry Noir, BourbonPecan and Tiramisu, Zen Chocolate truly makes one’s mouth water.
Best i n Class
At Key Ingredient Market, co-founders Matthew Pivnick and Christine Woodarek take good-quality, all-natural, delicious cheese spreads very seriously. “We had our humble beginnings in Northern New Jersey doing farmers’ markets and selling to a very limited number of gourmet retailers,” Pivnick says. “Our first manufacturing facility was in Whitehall and our present-day operations are in Bath.” Key Ingredient Market offers roughly 15 flavors of spreadable cheese to stores and distributors, selling at big-name retailers like Wegmans and Whole Foods. “All of our spreads are made with only 10-day lead times. Our orders are filled with precision. We use the words quality, consistency and integrity in everything we do.” Key Ingredient Market has skyrocketed to the top of best-seller lists, winning major industry awards. “Our number-one seller is far and away our Champagne Cheddar Spread. We are also known for our White Cheddar Jalapeño Spread, Hot Horseradish and Ale,” says Pivnick. “Our mission is to make the most delicious, safe-to-eat, best-in-class, gourmet cheddar spreads you can buy.”
7289 Park Dr., Bath | 484.281.3900
Craf t Takeout
Owners Dave and Lauren Jones know a thing or two about potatoes. Originally opening JAK-E Potato in 2005, the couple decided to close down in 2009 and take some well-deserved time to raise their three young children. Now, a little less than 10 years later, they’re back and ready to serve some of the best sandwiches, burgers, steaks and potatoes that the Valley has to offer. Dubbing the restaurant “craft takeout,” the couple says they focus on quality, not quantity, utilizing unique ingredients and elevated flavor profiles. Specialties include fresh, handcut, locally grown boardwalk-style fries, custom panini sandwiches, classic Reubens with house-made roast beef and their homemade bread. “Our uniqueness is grounded in the quality of our product and attention to the small details. Most takeout [restaurants] don’t roast their own meats or bake their own breads,” Dave notes. Their reopening was warmly welcomed by locals. “When we closed in 2009, we received an incredible amount of sad notes lamenting the loss of their favorite sandwiches. When we re-opened this past June, JAK-E Nation turned out in droves to support us and order by number their favorite sandwich. People actually held on to their menus. It was a very humbling experience.”
Photo courtesy of Zen Chocolate
Photo courtesy of JAK-E Potato
Lauren Weintraub
St. Luke’s NICU
Lauren Weintraub was quite literally born to volunteer at St. Luke’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Saucon Valley High School senior and her twin brother were born three months premature back in 2001, and received medical care in the Bethlehem NICU for four months. “I weighed one pound, 10 ounces and required advanced life-supporting measures,” she says. “The nurses and doctors there took excellent care of me and my brother. Over the years, we frequently returned for visits. We would always bring the staff holiday cookies and update them on how well we are doing.” This special bond drove Weintraub to seek out an opportunity to give back to the place that impacted her life so much. In 2014, Weintraub began volunteering in the pharmacy, delivering medications, as a hospital greeter in the lobby and assisting with clerical duties in any way she could. Her dream was always to become a volunteer in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and in the summer of 2017, it finally became a reality. “I was given the opportunity to spend my time volunteering in the NICU,” says Weintraub. “The nurses have taught me general baby care techniques for cuddling irritable babies, and allowed me to help the parent support group with crafts and journey jewels.” Now, just a year away from graduation, Weintraub says her volunteer work has inspired her to apply to several local colleges with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. Her selflessness and maturity are made clear as she explains the importance of volunteering. “Volunteering is an enriching experience for both the volunteers and the community,” she says. “Communities have so many needs and never have enough resources. I hope others consider volunteering in their communities.”
Watch The PEAK TV video of Lauren Weintraub at lehighvalleystyle.com.
Photo by Tom Volk/St. Luke’s University Health Network
True Roots
An interior plantscape design and maintenance service for commercial and retail properties, Mission Plant Company wants to help corporate settings bloom. When owner Sabrina Keim realized how valuable live plants can be to a work space, her vision truly came to life. “Indoor plants increase wellness, boost productivity and energize environments by providing year-round access to nature,” she says. “Living and working under artificial lights increases rates of stress, anxiety and depression. Indoor plants are proven to decrease stress and improve indoor air quality by removing cancer-causing toxins.” To get started, Keim first visits the space and assesses the area so that she can select species that would thrive best in the environment. “I partner with local nurseries and plant brokers to select the best plants, and I work with my team on delivering and installing the plants to the site.” Mission Plant Company’s services are billed monthly and, depending on the size of the space, can range from $50–$250 in cost. Keim hopes to connect people to nature through indoor plants. “We want our community to have access to the vibrancy of nature year-round.” 610.653.3414 | missionplantcompany.com
Photo courtesy of Mission Plant Company
What’s New at lehighvalleystyle.
THIS MONTH’S PICKS
Lavish Lavender
Photography by Matt Bishop
Discover the many forms and multiple uses of the wonder that is lavender!
Check out the aficionados at Peace Valley Lavender Farm in Doylestown or Paisley & Company in Kutztown for a collection of lavender products, ranging from scone mix to soap!
Lavender sugar, $6.75 Peace Valley Lavender Farm
Pinky Up Lavender Sorbet flowering tea
$12.95, Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery
Hand-poured boutique soap $5.75, Paisley & Company
Lavender hand and body lotion $8, Paisley & Company
Lavender shower gel $12, Peace Valley Lavender Farm
Lavender-infused honey, $8, Peace Valley Lavender Farm
DRY Sparkling lavender soda, $2.50, Peace Valley Lavender Farm
Lemon lavender scones baking mix, $7.75 Peace Valley Lavender Farm
Hair Care With Heart Richard Kroll Total Image Salon & Day Spa
By Daisy Willis | Photography by Matt Bishop
Replacement options for those going through medical or age-related hair loss have never been better. The quality of care and product at Richard Kroll Total Image Salon was a great comfort to Northampton’s Kim Bucari, medical technologist at Easton Hospital, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed a wig that would keep her look consistent through the challenges of chemo.
Kim Bucari
What was the process like working with Richard Kroll Total Image Salon?
The salon was actually our first stop to learn what options were available for a wig; wearing hats or scarves was not an option for me. There was no need to go anywhere else! My husband and I met with Richard and he explained the differences between a chemo wig and a fashion wig and answered all of our questions. We chose a wig close to my own hair in terms of style and color. The salon staff was very professional and caring during the whole process.
What kind of maintenance does your wig require?
There is very little maintenance. I bring my wig back to the salon every four weeks to have it washed and styled. This is something I could have done
myself but chose to have the salon do, which gave me one less thing to worry about.
How do you like to style it and what kind of potential does it offer for styling?
There was really only one way to style the wig I chose. Having a variety of style options wasn’t really important to me. I just wanted to look as much like I did prior to my chemotherapy as I could.
Have you used other wigs that you could compare your current one to?
I have not personally used any other wigs but I have seen the wigs that are given to cancer patients free of charge. They are hot and very uncomfortable and not made for people who have lost their hair. The wigs Richard Kroll carries for cancer patients are lightweight and very soft against your scalp.
What would you tell people who are beginning the cancer treatment journey?
At the beginning, it’s overwhelming. Having a good support system was key for me to get through this past year. The best advice I was given to deal with everything is the question: “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer: “One bite at a time!” You have to approach and conquer one step at a time. Get your rest; it’s important. I also found that the way you see things evolves over the whole process; what may be important during one step of the process may not be at the end.
I would like to emphasize to anyone out there going through this process to come into the salon. Talk to Richard; take a look at the wigs. Call your insurance company and check to see how much they will pay toward a wig. You’ll be glad you did.
What are some of your favorite fall activities?
I especially enjoy going to the pumpkin patch with our grandchildren. It’s also a great time of year to get out for a motorcycle ride to see the leaves as they change color.
Richard Kroll
Owner & Stylist
What does a good wig feel like?
More than a fashion wig, a quality medical wig is designed for comfort and breathability. It’s lightweight and easy to maintain at home. You can be outdoors comfortably and feel the air filter through. The part can be rotated in different directions so it doesn’t look like a wig, and they also adjust to fit your scalp perfectly.
Tell us about the hair replacement department in your salon.
If our clients endure any medical issues that result in hair loss or thinning, or simply loss from aging
MAKEOVER
or other factors, we’re able to help them through that. We can look at a medical-grade wig or a hair replacement. A hair replacement could include toppers, integrations and permanent attachments. When we meet with our clients, we educate them on what products would be best and how to take care of their hair on a daily basis.
How has wig-making design/technology improved since you started?
The new materials being used to make the caps and foundation for the units, and the quality of the craftsmanship in making the fabrics, have come far. Processing of the hair has also improved immensely, making the quality and texture soft and manageable. Years ago, it was rough and stiff. Now, the density of the material is much thinner, providing maximum comfort and appearance. The hair system looks like real hair.
How did you get started setting Kim up with her new look?
When someone calls to discuss hair loss/thinning or to look at medical wigs, we schedule a complimentary consultation in a private room, and we’ll set aside as much time as needed. We discuss what they’d like and try on different styles to narrow down which style and color they feel is best. We can special-order certain colors and lengths and even order a wig with highlights or an overgrown root, if that’s the desired look. Once we find the right wig or hair replacement, we can customize it further by layering or taking some weight out of the hair system.
How long does it take to make a custom hair system, from start to finish?
It typically takes six to eight weeks. Usually, you can take a stock hair system and customize it to fit the client and eliminate the wait period for manufacturing. If a client went with a stock product, it can be ready same day or in 48 hours. If we order a wig, we can get it within 24 hours.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Creating a look for each client that fits their needs. We start by having a very thorough consultation and listening to their wishes. When I combine my thoughts with theirs, we create a beautiful finish and make the client happy with the end result. Accomplishing this gives us the joy of seeing our clients happy with themselves in their new lifestyle with one of our creations. We feel blessed to be able to help them look and feel better.
GET THE GOODS LOCALLY
STEP i n 4 MOR
Photography by Andrew Tomasino
Celebrate 10 years of MORE with Stephanie Morffi, owner of Allentown’s STEP in 4 MOR. Opening the shop when she was just 21 years old, Morffi has provided the Valley with on-trend shoes, clothing and accessories for an entire decade. She’s sharing what’s next for the store and what’s on trend this fall!
Stephanie
Morffi
Owner
This year, STEP in 4 MOR celebrates 10 years in business! Tell us what that means to you. I know it may sound cliché when I say this, but it is honestly really hard to put into words how grateful I am. I feel honored that I have so many loyal customers that have shopped at STEP in 4 MOR since day one. Their continued patronage is why I am thriving in this day and age and why I love what I do. It is such a great feeling when I have a new customer come in and tell me that a friend referred them to my store or that they saw a pair of shoes on a stranger and had to find out where they bought
them. I cannot wait to meet my future customers and have them discover STEP in 4 MOR. I want new customers to see firsthand our great customer service, unique footwear and comfy clothing fit for any age and budget.
How has the shop evolved over the past decade?
Wow, a decade, that really hits home when I hear those words. When I first opened my store, I primarily focused on fashion-forward footwear. But as time went on, I realized my customers wanted affordable, comfortable footwear that is unique but still versatile. While high heels are gorgeous, they are not practical. We gear more towards low wedges, chunky heels and comfy flats. We even carry a fashionable orthopedic brand called Vionic, which flies off the shelves so quickly that I often reorder them multiple times a week. We also added several brands of affordable clothing, perfect for lounging or working out.
You started the shop when you were 21 years old. Looking back, does that seem crazier to you now than it did at the time?
Yes, it definitely seems crazier now. When I was 21 years old, I did not realize how much work went into starting a business from the ground up, but I dove
in headfirst and never looked back. I did not realize how many hats you have to wear as an entrepreneur: advertising, marketing, selecting inventory, merchandising, sales, accounting, bookkeeping, managing employees and more. The hard work is all worth it when you see the joy your customers get on their latest purchases. Looking back now, I think I was highly ambitious to open my own business at the young age of 21, fresh out of college. But I am really proud of how long I have been in business and [how much I have] learned over the past 10 years.
What other items continue to fly off the shelves?
A few brands of footwear that we have carried since the beginning—because we started to have a huge following for them. One is called Me Too; they are known for their memory foam footbeds that are unbelievably comfortable. Another popular brand is Johnston & Murphy, which has been around since 1850, showing a lot about the company. J&M is known more for their men’s footwear, but in 2008, right around when I opened, they launched their women’s collection and it has been a huge hit. For our clothing, Z Supply and Beyond Yoga are hard to keep in stock. There have been times when we sell out within a day or two of receiving them. Beyond
Yoga is made in the U.S. and allows stores like mine to order one of anything from their line, so we reorder from them often. We also do trunk shows with these popular brands, allowing our customers to see the collection in its entirety, and they can special order any item.
What products or brands does the store carry that readers might be surprised to learn about?
Most readers assume we have just shoes, but clothing—or, more specifically, athleisure and casual wear—is at least half of what we sell. We have some great athletic-wear brands such as Beyond Yoga and Alo Yoga that can easily be worn from barre to brunch or workout to chill out. We also have an amazing casual-wear line called Z Supply that has been flying off the racks because of their super-soft fabrics and low prices. I also think readers assume we have extremely high-end prices, but our tees/ tops start at only $30, and our footwear starts at around $40. We really have a great range of prices, especially for the quality that we aim to carry.
We are having a three-day event on November
8, 9 and 10, with free giveaways, tons of raffles and, of course, bubbly!
STEP in 4 MOR delivers? Tell us about that!
Technology has really changed the way we shop. In order to keep up with the times, I felt we needed an online store in addition to our storefront. A little over two years ago, I designed and created an e-commerce site. Now, customers can not only see the products we carry, but also purchase them to be delivered. Or, if they are local, they can choose the free in-store pick-up option. It has been an awesome addition because customers see our posts about new arrivals on social media and can buy them immediately on our website.
What’s on trend this fall?
This season, athleisure, ankle booties and oversized sweaters are majorly on trend. Athleisure as everyday wear is becoming more and more prevalent. It is comfortable, it is easy and who doesn’t want to wear comfy leggings all day? It is also spilling over
into the footwear industry. Classic designers such Eileen Fisher and Johnston & Murphy are creating slip-on sneakers in lush suedes or metallic patent leather to jazz them up. One trend I am most surprised about this year is floral print in the fall. A lot of designers are doing floral patterns with fall colors, such as purple, olive, rust and deep navy. Tall boots are hard to find this year because it is all about the low-heeled ankle booties. Pair them with an oversized sweater and comfortable leggings, and you’ll be set for the season.
What are your business goals for the next 10 years?
Our short-term goals are to celebrate BIG next month with all of our customers! We are having a three-day event on November 8, 9 and 10, with free giveaways, tons of raffles and, of course, bubbly! We hope readers will come join us in our celebration— the more the merrier.
Our long-term goals are to continue to grow our customer base and become a staple store in the Lehigh Valley. We want people to think, I need a new pair of comfy flats, or wonder what’s in style this season, [and say] let’s go check STEP in 4 MOR.
We want our customers to think, I am headed on vacation and need a versatile layering piece for the plane, STEP in 4 MOR will have it. Overall, we want our current customers and new customers to see we have great products at affordable prices and provide awesome customer service. We also hope to grow our online presence, so if it is a crazy snow day, customers can still get their shoe fix for the day.
Stunningly Beautiful and Complete Privacy, Close Proximity to Lehigh Country Club
is stunning estate on 6.5 acres abutting 2 trout streams surrounded by 65 acres of dedicated township farm land o ers incredible privacy with a 1/4 mile driveway while being 5 minutes from 1-78, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Lehigh Country Club. 4900 Sq Ft Monogram custom built home o ering an open concept main living area and unparalleled features throughout entire property. is masterfully designed home has many impressive features including: Brazilian cherry hardwood ooring, walls of windows, french doors, ne mouldings, 4 replaces, custom Morris Black open concept kitchen, SS appliances, granite countertops and island, wet bar, elegant master suite, with veranda/pool access and dressing room, steam room in master en suite, breathtaking great room with vaulted and beamed ceiling, handsome study with co ered ceiling, gym and two additional spacious bedrooms, both feature full en suites. 1500 Sq Ft expansion area, 20 KW all house generator, city water and sewer, heated saltwater pool, 4 bay garage with in ground li , plus carriage house or in-law quarters, putting green, sand trap and 150 yard hitting area. Sophistication, casual comfort and every amenity. Perfection.
MLS#581224 | NEW PRICE $1,750,000
Acupuncture
By Susan Bianchi, MS, Health & Wellness Coach
As conventional Western medicine struggles to deal with chronic health conditions such as stress, poor sleep, troubled digestion and chronic pain, the search for safe, effective, noninvasive and nontoxic methods that support and improve health has been on a dramatic rise. For many, that search has led them to acupuncture.
Acupuncture
Steeped in more than 3,000 years of historical use in Asia, the term acupuncture describes a variety of techniques that involve the stimulation of particular points of the body. The various points are associated with specific organs and systems called meridians. These meridians run through the body like channels, with the emphasis of creating balance and optimal energy flow in all of the body’s systems. While many associate acupuncture only with needles, the treatment can include pressure point
activation, palpation or the use of moxa, an herb used to warm a point.
Acupuncture is being used for a whole host of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, migraines, PTSD, digestive issues, fertility and hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, stress and inflammation, to name just a few. It is also very proactive—one does not have to wait until symptoms of “dis-ease” to receive benefit. The objective of acupuncture is to maintain and optimize balance in all the body’s systems, thereby encouraging health and healing naturally.
Western medicine is most often symptom-based treatment, but the approach of East Asian medicine practitioners is to treat the whole person by identifying what systems may be out of balance, versus just treating the symptom.
Two practitioners in the Lehigh Valley found their calling through their own personal journey towards health.
Rachelle Matias, LOM, of Grace Acupuncture Herbal Medicine in Bethlehem, was working in New York City, experiencing a classic burnout. Looking for a meaningful way to contribute and help others, she says acupuncture found her. “I was drawn to it because it is very tactile and allows you to connect with others, not only through touch but through talk as well,” she says.
Lisa Baas, LOM, of Living Arts Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Allentown, says her journey began in college, studying environmental science and experiencing some health challenges. She began to delve into her own personal ecology and health, starting first with nutrition, homeopathy and shiatsu. Then, after three whiplashes, two years of therapies and no results, she had three sessions of acupuncture that alleviated the pain. She knew she needed to learn more and began her study of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Who’s the Expert?
There are two licenses to identify practitioners: The designation of LAC is someone who is licensed in acupuncture. Meanwhile, an LOM is a practitioner who is licensed in acupuncture as well as herbal medicine, and can prescribe herbal tinctures. The schooling to become a licensed acupuncturist and licensed herbalist is rigorous, with a minimum of three to four years of postgraduate work. Depending on the practitioner, they may spend additional time interning and studying with various masters.
“When clients understand the amount of study that goes into being a practitioner, there is definitely an increased amount of trust,” says Matias. There are many different schools and styles of acupuncture—all of which use the same foundational texts, but slightly different methods.
It is important to note that acupuncture is just one aspect of Oriental medicine. As practitioners licensed in Oriental medicine, both Baas and Matias are able to prescribe herbal formulas. The herbals provide ongoing support for the body outside of the work done in the office. Matias clarifies that they are not primary physicians, but rather there to support the client’s health along the way.
Will It Hurt?
The most common misconception is that acupuncture is going to hurt. If needles are used, they are extremely thin gauge and nothing at all like hypodermic needles. At most, one experiences a tiny pinch. Matias notes that her study in the Japanese meridian technique uses an even thinner gauge than traditional Chinese medicine, so needles are barely felt. Baas echoes this, saying,
“People don’t realize how relaxing it is. If they did, they wouldn’t hesitate.”
Having such a light touch, the question may arise: “Is this doing anything?” There are countless studies showing its efficacy, and that amount of studies continues to grow. When addressing a health issue, Baas recommends to “try going in with a butter knife first, before using the chainsaw.” She adds that it is also a great longevity practice, reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow and turning on all the circuits to send regenerating signals throughout the body.
What Can I Expect?
When seeing a practitioner, both Baas and Matias express that there is a very comprehensive inquiry in order to understand the entire picture of one’s health. Viewing the body as systems—things that may seem unrelated to the patient are very much related in Asian medicine and confirm imbalances in a particular system. Unlike Western medicine, which looks at organs in isolation, practitioners are looking at the interplay of different systems, the cause and the effect.
Feeling your pulse through different points, palpating areas and observing your tongue are just some of the additional diagnostics used to identify any patterns, deficiencies or excesses. Once identified, the imbalances can be addressed. “For every 10 headaches there are 10 different patterns,” says Baas. “So, the work is very individualized.”
Treatment may then involve needles or moxa on particular points that the practitioner has identified, followed by quiet relaxation to allow the body to repair and restore.
How Should I Choose?
An internet search can do some basic screening regarding the practitioner, determining particular areas of specialty and overall philosophies. The most important part after that is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. “If you are comfortable with the practitioner, the healing starts there,” says Matias. “A good therapeutic relationship, attitude and community support is always the best scenario for an individual to thrive.”
Science is just catching up to the efficacy of this 3,000-year-old practice of treating the whole versus the parts. Addressing the energy systems of the body in gentle yet powerful ways can have a profound affect on one’s health, immune system and quality of life.
Vault 634
vault634.com | 610.774.9511
634 Hamilton St., Allentown
Rethink that next holiday soirée, corporate retreat, wedding or special event. Upgrade with the luxurious gilded-age charm of Vault 634. Vault 634 offers three spacious floors of newly renovated space, complete venue exclusivity, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and unrivaled in-house catering that will keep guests talking well after the event has ended.
Don Juan
donjuanmexgrill.com | 610.438.5661
5 locations throughout the Lehigh Valley
Whether it’s a birthday party or corporate event, Don Juan Mex Grill caters everything. Visit their website to see catering options for 20 to 200 people. They offer a variety of build-your-own-taco toppings and fillers, including vegetarian options as well as sides. They can also offer catering with alcohol, if ordered from their new location: Don Juan Mex Grill & Cantina in Macungie.
3350 Center Valley Pkwy., Center Valley 610.351.6400 | centennialeventcenterpa.com
Boasting over 8,000 sq. ft. of contemporary event space, the Centennial Catering & Conference Center at Homewood Suites Center Valley is the Lehigh Valley’s premier wedding reception destination. From gorgeous glass chandeliers to the custom packages available to design that dream wedding, Centennial is the perfect choice for that perfect day!
Only the finest of service at every turn: The Eastonian Banquets & Conventions located at the Holiday Inn Express Easton offers an exclusive blend of beauty and elegance with professional and personalized planning services, all at an exceptional price! The day you’ve always imagined made easier than you’ve ever dreamed.
The Hamilton’s private dining space offers a unique interior that is warm and inviting. Accommodating parties of 10 to 70, The Hamilton caters to every type of event from informal showers to formal meetings. Food and beverage menus are customizable to any taste, and a dedicated event specialist helps to make each event unique and affordable. For more information, please contact Kate at 610.433.3535 or email kgalloway@thehamiltonkitchen.com.
29 Cooks
29cooks.com | 484.951.0442
4030 Chestnut St., Emmaus
When Cindie Feldman decided to combine her love of cooking and teaching, she opened 29 Cooks, a culinary adventure for kids and adults with cooking classes, private lessons and catering. People fell in love with her food and her business grew. She even won the Food Network’s Cooks vs. Cons in 2016! Cindie’s next milestone is the opening of Gather, an event and meeting space, in late October.
Medical Marijuana
with Keystone Canna Remedies
By Daisy Willis
The first dispensary to open under Pennsylvania’s new medical marijuana program, Keystone Canna Remedies (KCR) operates with a focus on patient engagement and community outreach, offering educational workshops and person-to-person care. Founder Victor Guadagnino, Jr., along with his aunt, father and a family friend, opened the airy Stefko Boulevard location this past February, and they’ve already made a positive impact on thousands of lives.
How Does It Work?
The human body already contains an endocannabinoid system that regulates our health toward a homeostatic, balanced state. The molecules in medicinal cannabis bind to receptors in this system, both in the brain and body, to affect a number of physiological and cognitive processes such as pain, mood and appetite. “THC is the molecule that gets all the attention,” says Guadagnino, “but CBD is
another main medicinal driver in cannabis, and the synergy between THC and CBD is really where the medicinal benefit shines.”
There’s no difference between the cannabis that has been a federally illegal, stigmatized substance since the 1930s and the cannabis that’s now being administered medicinally. It’s all in how it’s used. At KCR, cannabis is available in the form of tinctures, lotions, capsules, patches, vaporization cartridges and, most recently, finished flower (the actual dried plant).
Who’s Eligible?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has developed a list of 21 conditions with symptoms that cannabis can alleviate, including autism, cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, MS, neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Parkinson’s, and opiate use disorder.
Anyone suffering from these conditions can register online in a simple process and make an appointment with a physician certified to recommend cannabis treatment. The physician can then certify the patient to receive an ID card, which can be presented at a dispensary to buy the product. In most cases, physicians charge between $115 and $200 for this evaluation, equivalent to a self-paid visit.
What Happens at the Dispensary?
At KCR, initial consults determine what medicines the patient is already taking, what experience with cannabis they have, whether they have a history of anxiety and what kind of regimen will be most helpful.
Products at KCR are sorted by A.M. and P.M., depending on what time of day they’ll be most useful. Whether symptoms are worse first thing in the morning or after a long day of work, whether sleep issues are a factor and what level of tolerance the patient has, all determine what’s prescribed.
In a limited-access part of the building, there is an open counter where patient-care representatives demo the options and where the purchases, follow-up and often camaraderie between patients takes place. The atmosphere is comfortable and not overly clinical, setting the stage for a positive, professional experience.
Patients receive instruction on how to experiment within safe parameters to find the dose that gives relief from symptoms without compromising functionality, and it can improve functionality as well. “We’re interested in this realm primarily because it does reinvigorate the patient into their own health care,” says Guadagnino.
Are There Risks?
You can’t overdose on cannabis, but as Guadagnino says, “We wouldn’t have a dispensary where we’re taking a health-care-led approach if it wasn’t a powerful substance.”
Misuse and overuse are potential issues with cannabis as with many substances, but when using it according to KCR’s recommendations with a micro-dose approach, it’s unlikely to present these problems.
Generally, if use is decreasing functionality rather than increasing it, increasing sluggishness or anxiety instead of doing the opposite, that’s a case of overuse. “That’s why you need to approach it in an educational and effective, safe manner,” Guadagnino says. “And that’s what we’re here for.”
What Are the Benefits?
Guadagnino lights up when he talks about patient improvement. “We’re seeing tremendous success,” he says. “They eat better, they move better, they sleep better, they feel better.” Chronic-pain patients have taken their one-to-ten pain-scale rating from a nine to a three. Autistic children have evened out, sparing their families at least some tantrums. One brain injury patient who had receded into himself, losing his personality, became able to do things independently and feel like himself again.
Whether it’s the focusing effect that can help stabilize and lift mood, or the anti-inflammatory effect easing pain and discomfort, or sensation returning to neuropathic extremities, or patients working with their pain management physicians to reduce their opiate intake in conjunction with a cannabis regimen, this powerful plant is improving quality of life for 2,000 patients at KCR, and counting.
And for people who have been suffering from stubborn, debilitating symptoms for years, KCR has given them a place to celebrate and share in the relief that comes with effective treatment freed from the shadows of illegality. Even Guadagnino is impressed with the results: “I’m just blown away sometimes.”
Victor Guadagnino, Jr Chief
Have Some Fun Today
Stephanie Rado Taormina
By Amy Unger | Photography by Tina Louise Photography
A celebrity product endorsement is a major milestone for any designer, one that wasn’t lost on Berks County’s Stephanie Rado Taormina, founder and owner of the lifestyle brand Have Some Fun Today (HSFT). Certainly, it was a thrill to see photographs of Halle Berry running errands in Los Angeles in a HSFT grey muscle tank, and of Reese Witherspoon, clad in the same top,
cooling off after a run near her home. “It just validates your brand, and shows that you’re on the right track,” says Rado Taormina. And yet, HSFT is about more than winning over followers among Hollywood’s elite, and about more than the comfortable but chic leggings, shirts, hats, totes and accessories that make up its primary line. “It’s not really just a fashion brand,” explains Rado Taormina. “It’s a mindset and a way of life.” “Have some fun today” was also a mantra—her late father’s favorite saying. “My father was a great man,” says Rado Taormina. “He was inspiring to a lot of people.” The Rado family (dad Joseph, mom Elaine and their five children—Stephanie is the oldest) moved to Wyomissing when Rado Taormina was a teenager. Over his lifetime, Joseph Rado’s resume would swell with accomplishments and accolades both personal and professional, but perhaps his most impressive business achievement was transforming a small, elevator circuit-board repair business out of West Chester called World Electronics into an international manufacturing facility now based in Reading. All the while, says Rado Taormina, her father always maintained a sunny disposition and a lust for life. His employees were well-acquainted with his favorite saying; it even popped up on their pay stubs. “He was the most positive person I ever met,” says Rado Taormina. But he wasn’t the only person who played a role in shaping her during those early years. Rado Taormina credits two women in her life with helping her cultivate her creative side. Her mother owned a beauty salon for many years; Rado Taormina recalls perusing the fashion magazines that kept customers occupied at the shop. And her grandmother, she says, renovated homes. “I was always around these things as a little girl,” says Rado Taormina. “I was always fascinated by fashion, beauty and design.”
She studied advertising and marketing at Penn State before deciding to go “all in” on a career in the arts. She credits a summer spent in France with helping her to reconnect with her creative roots. Following her graduation from PSU in 1987, she moved to New York City to pursue a BFA in fashion design at Parsons School of Design. In the years that followed, Rado Taormina worked her way up in the business; designer Adrienne Vittadini and luxury brand Andrew Marc were among her employers. She married and had a pair of daughters: Allegra and Gabrielle. Her brood moved back to Berks County in the late 1990s when Rado Taormina’s then-husband (they divorced in 2008) wanted to work for her family’s business. Even though she missed the energy of the big city, Rado Taormina kept the creative juices percolating with the founding of her own
interior design company. She also sold her artwork and paintings to clients all over the world.
The chain of events that would lead to the conception of Have Some Fun Today began with a devastating blow to the Rado family. Five years ago, their beloved patriarch began to struggle with complications from diabetes. But even as the disease progressed, Rado Taormina says her father’s optimism remained a force to be reckoned with. “Even in the hospital, he’d find the energy to tell you to have some fun today.” Joseph Rado passed away on April 25, 2014. Rado Taormina says a thousand people paid their respects at his funeral. And then, a remarkable thing happened: His favorite phrase took on a life of its own. It was shared fondly among mourners and well-wishers. It was mentioned in his obituary. It even began to pop up on social media. Clearly, this was a man— and a motto—who had left his mark.
Rado Taormina can vividly recall the moment when her father’s mantra became her fashion brand’s hallmark. “As an artist, I always have a vision of how I’m going to do a painting or design a room,” she explains. She was sitting on her couch one morning, a few months after her father died, when one of those visions popped into her head. “I visualized a painting that said, ‘Have some fun today.’ And it went right to a tote bag. And then a trucker hat. And then a shirt.” In fact, she says, she mapped out an entire line in her head in just a matter of minutes.
Rado Taormina says she initially thought she’d sell a few items on Etsy and call it a day. But word of mouth and a strong social media presence— coupled with good old-fashioned tenacity—helped HSFT quickly find a following. “In less than a year, I had a website and I had product,” she says. She drew inspiration for her pieces from her own inner circle—her friends and family, and the lifestyle they were accustomed to. “It was myself,
INSIGHT
the people I hung out with,” Rado Taormina says. “We talked about wellness, living a balanced life, working out.” And relatability was essential. “I wanted it to be something my kids could wear, I could wear, my mom could wear.”
Of course, there are several steps that come between visualizing an item of clothing and then holding the finished product in your hands, and Rado Taormina says it’s been more or less a one-woman production from the beginning. “I work all day long, seven days a week,” she says with a laugh.
Outside of some key assists from her daughters, Rado Taormina is the company’s CEO and CEE (“chief everything else”). She uses subcontractors when necessary, but handles the brunt of the planning, design and marketing herself, and admits it can be exhausting. She recalls one day last year in which she had to drive three hours to Avalon, New Jersey for a holiday sales event called Shopaholics; she was tired and frustrated. She looked to the heavens and asked her father for a sign, a validation that her hard work was paying off. Minutes later, she says, she began receiving text messages that actress Kate Hudson was photographed wearing a HSFT hoodie in Manhattan. It was a major coup for the company at the time, but it would hardly be the last. “We have people traveling all over the world, photographed wearing our stuff,” says Rado Taormina. And it’s not just her client base that’s gone international; HSFT products are available at several high-end, luxury hotel boutiques and spas around the globe, like The Sugar Mill in the Bahamas, the Fontainebleau in Miami and the Mandarin Oriental. But, no passport, no problem: HSFT also operates an online store.
While her days now are still jam-packed, Rado Taormina can afford to take a few moments to marvel at her success. “[It’s] literally a little brand from Wyomissing. A woman doing it herself in a house. It’s surreal to me. But just because I live in a little town doesn’t mean I don’t have talent.” She envisions her company expanding both its clothing line (more activewear offerings, perhaps an infusion of street style in the design) as well as its scope. “Eventually, we’d like to get to a place where we can do wellness programs for adults and children to really get to the meaning of HSFT,” Rado Taormina says. Those changes may be launched from another coast: She has plans to relocate to California, where two of her siblings live. But, no matter where HSFT is based, its core mission, says Rado Taormina, will remain the same: remembering her father by encouraging all members of the HSFT tribe to live life like he did. “I feel like I’m honoring his legacy.”
Kelly’s e orts are supported by client service associate Christy Lukity, who is committed to thoroughly and attentively addressing clients’ needs and requests. Christy is vivacious and hardworking and makes sure their needs are always her first priority.
The team is also aided by Melissa Galm, a respected financial advisor with nearly seven years of industry experience. Melissa shares the team’s vision of helping others understand their current financial situation and helping guide them to plan for their futures.
The longer nights of the fall and winter mean that now is the perfect time to install a professional outdoor lighting system.
When evening arrives, Lehigh Valley Lighting uses light as a paintbrush, creating a lighting masterpiece with your property. Using different lighting techniques, we enhance the beauty and elegance of your home and grounds, while also providing you with the highest possible degree of security and safety around your property.
From the drama of highlighting the crowns of tall trees to the delicate moonlight shadows dancing through the leaves, our custom lighting designs will add spectacular effects to your home and gardens at night.
Create an atmosphere of resort-like beauty around your home and grounds!
Dark and Gloomy...
THE NEW AGE OF WELLNES S: A COMPREHENSIVE TO LIVING YOUR B EST LI FE
BY AMY UNGER
There’s a lot of information out there when it comes to diet, fitness and everything else that contributes to one’s overall wellness. With the help of some Valley professionals, we’re simplifying all that noise and leaving you with a few tried, true and healthy takeaways!
GUT
If you're looking for a barometer of your overall health, look no further than your own gut, says nutritionist Kathy Harrington of the Bethlehem Nutrition and Wellness Center.
"If our digestive system isn't working well, then we're not going to be able to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat, and if we don't absorb our nutrients, then we won't have the building blocks our body needs to create health and vitality."
Symptoms of an unhealthy gut:
Gas, bloating, cramping, pain, constipation, diarrhea and heartburn
How to whip your gut into shape:
Identify and eliminate food allergies and intolerances from the diet.
Make every trip to the bathroom count by eating enough fiber, drinking enough water and getting adequate exercise.
Protect “good” gut bacteria by not overusing antibiotics.
What is “good” bacteria?
According to Harrington, good bacteria benefits the host (you) while reaping its own benefits.
Feed good bacteria with vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruit and prebiotics.
Steer clear of sugars and refined flours favored by "bad" bacteria, which can cause damage to the cells of the host, says Harrington.
THE FAD DIETS
Every year, there’s a new get-slim-quick diet that promises to deliver a bathing suit bod in record time. But buyer (or dieter) beware, cautions nutritionist Angie Fenstermaker of Angie’s Way Nutrition. “All fad diets ‘work’ in terms of shedding some pounds,” she says. “But typically, fad diets do not teach people how to unravel years of poor habits that caused the weight gain in the first place.”
If going full gusto with a diet overhaul seems too overwhelming, Fenstermaker recommends starting with small changes:
Add in another serving of green vegetables, or increase your water intake.
Find ways to reward yourself other than food. Treat yourself to a nice hot bath, read a good book or chat with a friend.
Focus on your overall health, not just your weight. “At the end of the day, ‘health’ is everything you do or don’t do to your body,” Fenstermaker says.
STRIK E A POSE ...
The physical gains from a consistent yoga routine have been well-documented: increased flexibility, weight loss and improved cardio health, just to name a few. But a major component of yoga is mental, says Alicia Rambo Wozniak of Easton Yoga. “If we only look at what we can ‘see’ in a yoga practice, we miss the subtle benefits of how moving with breath intention becomes a tool that we can use to navigate the difficult fluctuations that happen in our lives every day.” And, just like practice makes perfect on those downward dog and tree poses, becoming proficient in the practice of meditation also takes time. But it’s OK to take it one breath at a time. “Even five minutes of conscious breathing can be a highly beneficial practice,” says Rambo Wozniak.
Surprising benefits of yoga:
It’s a fertility friend.
Research suggests that yoga can aid conception on a physiological level. Denise Mikovitch, owner of Kula Heart Yoga & Wellness in Bethlehem, says yoga can be a light of “clarity” for women dealing with the uncertainties and stresses of trying to conceive.
It can be a better hangover cure than a trip to the neighborhood diner. According to Fitness magazine, a quick round of yoga can help undo a night of indulgence. Just be sure to stay hydrated.
It can whip your lymphatic system into shape.
The lymphatic system relies on movement to help rid the body of toxins, and yoga can play a key role in improving circulation. “The benefit,” says Mikovitch, “is to balance out the levels of lymph in your body, helping eliminate the waste products [and] prevent disease.”
High Intensity Interval Training
Whitney Carullo, co-owner of Bethlehem’s Liven Up Health and Fitness, says the hottest trend in exercise now remains HIIT, in which short bursts of intense activity are followed by less intense recovery periods. But if you’re not a fan, don’t fret—there are lots of options out there. “Find something that you enjoy and stick with it,” Carullo says.
BUST A AND A SWEAT
Just like making smarter dietary choices requires commitment, getting physically fit means putting in real work. “It needs to become a lifestyle,” says Carullo. “Getting into shape is a journey, and you cannot change every poor behavior all at once.”
How much exercise does an average person really need to stay in shape?
According to Carullo, 20 minutes of metabolically taxing activity every day would suffice. Or, 45 minutes of the same caliber of activity, three to four times a week, would also do the trick.
Weight training or cardio?
Both, if you really want to maximize your gains. “A cardio workout burns more calories,” Carullo says. “However, you burn more calories hours after a weightlifting session, unlike cardio.”
Do you really need to stretch?
Yes. “It’s imperative that every workout include a dynamic warm-up (moving as you’re stretching), followed by a cool down,” Carullo says. “Not only will your workouts improve tremendously, but you will decrease your risk of injury.”
Daily multivitamin: yea or nay?
Fenstermaker says in most cases: nay. “[The] majority of multivitamins contain synthetic versions of vitamins, which are not absorbed or utilized by the body efficiently.” She recommends saving your money unless you have a specific vitamin deficiency or medical condition that calls for a supplement.
“Bottom line, our bodies recognize nutrients from real foods first and foremost,” she says.
Determining the right time to pursue facial rejuvenation is a personal choice, says Dr. Samina Wahhab, who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery. But taking a more aggressive approach sooner may not be the answer. “There has been an increase in facial injectables at fairly young ages in actors and models, with the thought that preventing the lines from beginning will help to maintain a youthful appearance for a longer period,” Wahhab says. “There are no good scientific studies that actually prove this theory.”
Turning back the clock:
Mind your SPF.
Remembering to slather on the sunscreen remains an effective skin-maintenance routine. “Sun exposure definitely contributes to the aging process,” Wahhab says.
Know the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon.
“Anyone with a medical degree can take courses and seminars and call themselves a cosmetic surgeon,” Wahhab says. “Plastic surgeons have a minimum of six years of surgical training, including cosmetic surgery.”
A facelift is not a forgone conclusion.
Alternative treatments, like ultherapy, a non-surgical ultrasound treatment that aims to counteract the effects of gravity on the skin, have grown in popularity in recent years. “The combination of ULTHERAPY® and facial injections can produce results very similar to a facelift,” Wahhab says. “Patients who start facial rejuvenation with ULTHERAPY® early enough will be able to put off a surgical facelift for many years, or may not even feel the need for [one].”
Thanks to the often rigorous demands of professional careers and home life, it’s not uncommon for adults to bemoan their lack of quality sack time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health, one quarter of all American adults are not getting the recommended amount of sleep—and that’s leading to more than just the dreaded bags under the eyes. St. Luke’s University Health Network says sleeping less than seven to eight hours each night is tied to a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, stroke and even cancer. The health network’s Sleep Disorder Center offers a number of tips for making the most of your nightly voyage to dreamland.
There’s no need to turn down the thermostat.
The Center says while an excessively warm room can disturb sleep, there is no evidence that an excessively cold room can help you sleep better.
Say “no thanks” to that PM cup of coffee. Caffeine in the evening hours can disturb sleep, even in those who don’t think it does. It’s also wise to avoid alcohol, which can set you up for a night of fragmented sleep.
Restless night? Don’t fight it.
The Center says the harder you try to fall asleep, the more frustrated (and sleepless) you’re likely to get. Instead, turn on the light, distract yourself and try to hit the hay again a little later.
Beware of popping sleeping pills. While occasional use may help, most chronic insomniacs won’t benefit.
(Source:
Center for Neuroscience Sleep Disorder Centers)
MASSAGE THERAPY
You may think of massage as an indulgence, or even an unnecessary extravagance. Not so, says massage therapist Kathy Miller of Allentown’s AchieveBalance4U. “Massage therapy may be the oldest form of medical care,” she says. “Julius Caesar used massage for his epilepsy. Bob Hope, who lived to be 100, had daily massages as part of his health regimen.” While massage is often perceived as a stress reliever (and yes, it is), many patients seek it out to grapple with bigger health problems, such as cancer, chronic pain, migraines and even depression. “One may think that they don't need [massage] or have a health issue yet, but they just don't know how far therapeutic massage has come,” Miller says.
When should you schedule your next massage?
Maybe sooner than you think, says Mikovitch. “I tell all of my clients: Your body lets you know. Then pick at least a week before that to come back the next time.”
How much time should you be spending with your masseuse?
That depends on the type of massage you’re getting (deep tissue, therapeutic, medical, etc.), and what your health needs are. “Every body is different,” Miller says.
St. Luke’s
A 60-minute massage is as beneficial as seven to eight hours of sleep for the body, according to Miller.
PROFILES
Medical & Dental Professionals
Some of the most important decisions in life are made with the help of a doctor or dentist. Whether dealing with a common malady or a major, life-changing medical decision, Lehigh Valley residents are fortunate to have some of the most skilled practitioners to choose from when only the best care will do.
Interested in being included in one of our Professional Profile sections? Call 484.546.0408 for more information.
Betsy P. Luo, MD
Those who want to look their best turn to ophthalmologist and oculoplastics surgeon Dr. Betsy P. Luo. She can freshen up a face by lifting sagging eyelids and eyebrows, reducing lines around the eyes and making lines and wrinkles between the eyes virtually disappear.
Dr. Luo’s medical knowledge and cosmetic skill are paramount in the safety and effectiveness of her clients’ desired results.
Meet Dr. Luo and her team at Progressive Vision Institute’s MediSpa Holiday Event on Friday, November 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and enter to win luxurious cosmetics. RSVP to 610.273.5169 and see why the Lehigh Valley trusts the delicate hands of Dr. Luo to restore natural beauty.
5201 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.273.5169 | pvi-vision.com
SOMETIMES, THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH NEEDS A MIRACLE OF ITS OWN
RMA of Pennsylvania’s infertility specialists, Dr. Wendy J. Schillings and Dr. Ndeye-Aicha Gueye, have one goal: to assist individuals or couples in building their families in a considerate, personalized, compassionate and respectful environment. With a long history of higher than average success rates, the physicians at RMAPA have treated patients from across the United States and multiple countries around the world.
When asked about her favorite part of being an infertility specialist, Dr. Schillings states, “I love seeing happy parents holding their babies.”
Dr. Gueye agrees, adding, “I enjoy providing compassionate comprehensive care, including diagnostic procedures, surgery and assisted reproductive treatments. My primary goal is to optimize a patient’s success in building their family.”
RMAPA offers leading assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including ovulation induction, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), frozen embryo transfers (FET) and artificial insemination (IUI).
Dr. Wendy J. Schillings & Dr. Ndeye-Aicha Gueye
HEALTHIER MIND. HEALTHIER BODY. HEALTHIER SOUL.
Above: Ethos Clinic’s new location in Emmaus. Ethos Clinic’s mission is to help patients rediscover their true selves with a healthier mind, a healthier body and a healthier soul through a combination of spiritual, emotional and physical treatments.
Dr. Raja Abbas believes wellness is a combination of spiritual, emotional and physical health and involves a holistic approach that he and his Ethos Clinics have created to provide a pathway to revitalization, wholeness and self-discovery for those struggling with mental illness.
Art therapy, music therapy, nutritional therapy, spiritual therapy, mindfulness with a focus on meditation and physical therapy are integrated with individually designed treatment plans that include counseling, drug management and state-of-the-art deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) and ketamine infusions.
“I’m a psychiatrist and I’m trained in internal medicine, psychiatry as well as geriatric psychiatry,” says Dr. Abbas. “Patients are able to get both needs met, and then we can take it a step further in developing comprehensive treatment plans, which include medication management and counseling. If the need is there, we would also be able to do dTMS or transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for patients with severe depression and other indications.”
Psychiatric outpatient rehabilitation at the Ethos Clinic is a comprehensive long-term program that enables patients with chronic mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, treatment-resistant depression and
anxiety disorders to recover in a holistic environment. This unique new program addresses a patient’s medical and psychiatric needs while introducing wellness education, such as learning how to garden and grow food, and how to make simple meals. As patients recover from their chronic health conditions, they will be spending three to five days a week at the daily rehab center as they learn how to make their way back into society.
The rehab program is the link in a chain of comprehensive outpatient psychiatric services provided at Ethos Clinics that includes partial programs, intensive outpatient services and psychiatric crisis centers run in coordination with local, county and state agencies.
The first Ethos rehabilitation center will open in Emmaus in early 2019, with the second program opening in Lehighton in Spring 2019. A similar campus is planned for the Ethos Clinic in Bethlehem.
Dr. Abbas and his staff of compassionate and experienced therapists, psychiatrists and nurse practitioners have treated depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric illnesses for patients of all ages in Bethlehem and Palmerton for the past five years, and now the treatments are available at a convenient location in Emmaus.
GIVING PATIENTS THEIR SMILES BACK
Dr. Wayne J. Saunders is a native of the Lehigh Valley and a graduate of Parkland High School. He started The Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Luke’s more than 15 years ago. What Dr. Saunders began as a solo practice has now grown immensely, with multiple locations and doctors added to his team.
The Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Luke’s, now known as St. Luke’s OMS, has grown to an 11-doctor practice, including one periodontist, with five locations throughout the Lehigh Valley. Still the largest practice in the Lehigh Valley area, St. Luke’s OMS continues to be the most innovative by using technology such as X-Nav, Osseocare Pro and cone beam CT scanning. St. Luke’s OMS is also now the home of the Valley’s first three female oral surgeons: Dr. Veronica Barreto, Dr. Assabi Isaac and Dr. Rhonda Rohloff. In addition to adding progressive surgeons to this group of already talented doctors, St. Luke’s OMS has extended hours in order to accommodate patient schedules. St. Luke’s OMS offers normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays, extended hours on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and some Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. With multiple office locations in Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem
and Stroudsburg, patients can have the surgeons they trust, where and when they want.
At St. Luke’s OMS, the doctors practice a full range of oral and facial procedures, including Trefoil and All-On-Four hybrid surgeries; dental implant surgery; bone grafting; dental extractions, including wisdom teeth removal; TMJ (temporomandibular joint) evaluation and management; cosmetherapy, including Botox and JUVEDERM; and more.
The mission at St. Luke’s OMS is to provide patients with affordable, high-quality, state-of-the-art care in a gentle, safe and secure environment. The practice was able to grow and start relationships with local dentists and other specialists by living true to this mission and maintaining a positive reputation. St. Luke’s OMS prides itself on always being available to patients and referring doctors. Along with their professional staff, the doctors are committed to establishing a partnership of good health with ease of access and flexibility for scheduling needs.
For the convenience of patients, St. Luke’s OMS offers appointments at five locations throughout the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County. For more information, or to make an appointment with one of the surgeons at St. Luke’s OMS, please call 610.865.8077 or visit stlukesoms.com.
Back row, left to right: Michael Fedele, DMD; Randy R. Nolf, DDS; Rhonda Rohloff, DMD; Joseph J. Arnone, DMD; Assabi A. Isaac, DDS
Front row, left to right: Wayne J. Saunders, DMD; Dominic Rachiele, DMD; Veronica T. Barreto, DMD; Daniel S. Lader, DMD; Brett M. Geller, DMD
Angie Fenstermaker
NUTRITIONIST & FITNESS DIRECTOR ANGIE’S WAY NUTRITION
My diet consists mainly of fish, eggs, green veggies, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, berries, oils and nut butters and a ton of water and teas. Items I must always have on hand include green veggies, eggs, berries and flax. A typical dinner in my household consists of always, a protein source like salmon or a white fish. Or I’ll make a clean version of a meatloaf or grass-fed beef burgers for my family. Most often include a sweet potato or red-skinned potatoes and always a veggie or salad. When I’m hungry for a snack, I eat rice cakes with mashed avocado atop and a sprinkle of Himalayan salt, or my homemade peanut butter balls. When I choose to splurge, I eat sushi, followed by something sweet like frozen yogurt with an unhealthy topping. My go-to place to grocery shop is ShopRite—has everything I need, and it’s convenient and never crazy crowded! My favorite spots to dine out in the Valley include 24 East (sushi), True Blue and Oak Steakhouse.
I personally only drink Kombucha sparingly, using it to improve my digestion or if I feel a cold coming on. It is more medicinal for me, rather than a daily beverage.
I use beet root powder to help lower levels of triglycerides in the blood, and to improve athletic performance.
I sometimes take a shot of tart cherry juice before bed to help sleep more soundly.
Just one tablespoon of flaxseed oil can meet and exceed your daily ALA needs, helping to reduce inflammation in the body, reduce cancer growth and improve your digestive system.
I use Ghee as my “butter,” as it's full of fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.
Prabha Sinha
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PRATYUSH SINHA FOUNDATION
My diet consists mainly of lentils, vegetables— stir-fried or in curries—rice and kitchen sink salads with fresh juices. Items I must always have on hand include whole milk yogurt, olives and fresh greens. A typical dinner in my household consists of lentils, vegetable curry and rice with a sprout salad. When I’m hungry for a snack, I eat fruit or some slices of good, whole grain bread with either avocado, hummus or nut butters. When I choose to splurge, I eat paneer tikka masala or palak paneer with nan. My go-to places to grocery shop are Wegmans, local farms and Indian Bazaar for Indian groceries. My favorite spots to dine out in the Valley include Cafe Santosha, Greenmouth Juice Bar and Cafe and Jenny's Kuali
The fridge contents reflect my desire to eat healthy using live foods: fresh squeezed juices, homemade sprouts and also my palate for Indian tastes. That’s why there is basmati rice, green pea curry and dal there.
Having grown up in India, where milk products are an essential part of all vegetarians, I try to stay with the best milk products that are in the market. I go for whole milk and yogurt. I don’t believe in the reduced-fat versions.
I also like to cook fusion foods, so I have miso and some sauces in the fridge.
Lots of veggies, so I can make fried rice or stir fry vegetables in minutes.
I always have fresh greens, nuts and avocados, so I can put salad together in a jiffy.
Alison Benedetto
CHIROPRACTOR/ HEALTH COACH BENEDETTO CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CENTER
My diet consists mainly of vegetables, plantbased fats (avocado/coconut), lean animal protein and fish. Items I must always have on hand include fresh vegetables, avocado, grapefruit, eggs, red cabbage, string cheese, fruit, grilled chicken/turkey. My husband and I batch prep for our family every Sunday, so we cook all of our protein ahead of time and slice all of our raw veggies and fruit so it’s ready to go. We also pre-assemble breakfast and lunches so we don’t have to think about it in the morning. Meal prep is a must in our house so that we can maintain a healthy lifestyle despite a crazy family schedule! A typical dinner in my household consists of some type of lean protein and a heaping side of vegetables—usually broccoli and a spinach-based salad. When I’m hungry for a snack, I eat raw red cabbage... I love it! When I choose to splurge, I eat some kind of nut butter on a piece of 85 percent organic dark chocolate. My go-to places to grocery shop are Giant Supermarket and Wegmans. We belong to Red Earth Farm CSA, where we get all of our fresh veggies and eggs. My favorite spots to dine out in the Valley include Bolete, Melt, Kome and Jumbars Café.
String cheese for the kids—easy to pack in lunches for boost of protein, calcium and Vitamin D.
Extremely nutrientrich vegetables. High source of iron, calcium, magnesium, B6, B9 and Vitamin C.
Our schedule is crazy so we use these breakfast bowls filled with ground turkey or eggs, spinach, sweet potatoes and salsa as a way to get good protein and carbs post gym workout before work.
Melons are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Our kids LOVE it and it's an easy way to get beneficial Vitamin C.
Contain almost every nutrient needed.
Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish typically comprised of fermented cabbage but can be other fermented vegetables. Its greatest health benefit is that it is probiotic in nature. which means it promotes good gut bacteria, which is essential to proper gut health.
Scott Feather
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR CSS GROUP FITNESS
My diet consists mainly of protein, water, milk, fruits/vegetables and healthy carbs. Items I must always have on hand include chicken, water, eggs, milk and fruit. A typical dinner in my household consists of chicken breast with fresh salsa, broccoli and a sweet potato. When I’m hungry for a snack, I eat an apple, a cup of Greek yogurt or a bowl of bran cereal with strawberries on top. When I choose to splurge, I eat Margherita pizza, steak and potatoes or pasta. My go-to places to grocery shop are Giant or Whole Foods. My favorite spots to dine out in the Valley include Blue, Roma and White Orchids.
I drink milk or chocolate milk mixed with protein powder as my go-to's immediately following a workout, supplying whey protein and sugar to jumpstart the recovery process.
Carrots and hummus are a healthy go-to, satisfying my need for a crunchy snack.
Greek yogurt, eggs and chicken are my favorite sources of lean protein for muscle building and recovery.
I snack on fresh berries and cereal (granola or bran flakes) to supply antioxidants and vitamin C to maximize muscle healing, rebuilding and immunity.
6 Local Cideries
By Daisy Willis
The Lehigh Valley’s numerous breweries and distilleries are joined by cideries young and old, some offering modern, trendy takes, while others are steeped in the history and heritage of this delicious drink. Set aside Angry Orchard’s saccharine omnipresence and sample ciders crafted with love using apples from Pennsylvania’s abundant orchards.
Frecon
The Frecon Orchards were established in 1944, and the founders spent 65 years cultivating new world, old world and heirloom apple varieties before starting the area’s first cidery in 2009. With three generations venerating the family legacy and the fruit of their trees, these are ciders careful ly crafted in a variety of styles. Crabby Granny is a mead-cider hybrid, or cyser. Gingembre is a light mix of Winesap and Granny Smith with a touch of ginger, and a motley mishmash of about a dozen varieties is barrel-aged to make Scrumpy. With Frecon’s farmers’ market, a bakery supplied by seasonal, local ingredients and apple-picking action with live music and picnic potential, a foray down to Boyertown will make autumn awesome.
501 S. Reading Ave., Boyertown 610.367.6200 | freconfarms.com
R.A.W.
The joint creation of a wine-loving husband-andwife team, R.A.W. Urban Winery & Hard Cidery offers award-winning wines at two tasting rooms in Stroudsburg as well as hard ciders that draw on local herbs to create unique flavors. Whether
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
Frecon
it’s hopped with lemonade, infused with organic chamomile or jazzed up with ginger and lime, R.A.W.’s ciders are fun, refreshing and sustainably sourced.
Though it’s termed an “urban” winery, don’t expect a hip, cool reception. Misty and Matt Stallard are happy to share enthusiasm for the craft they love and the cozy community of a family-run business in a rustic space, hosting paint and sips, art workshops and other events constantly.
103 Gypsum Rd., Stroudsburg
616 Main St., Stroudsburg 570.350.2697 | rowanasherwinery.com
Hardball
Sourced from several local orchards, including the owner’s parents’ farm in Upper Mount Bethel, Hardball Cider has grown in the past five years. Not only can one take a trip to tour the cidery and orchard, Hardball’s gastropub and craft bar in Bethlehem has tastings and ciders on tap to accompany an extraordinary menu from their
From a mac and cheese burger, rib-eye cheesesteak and loaded poutine to warm cobbler and apple-cider doughnut holes, there’s plenty to wash down with a cold cider, and a wide variety of cider to choose from. Along with seasonal specialties bursting with the flavor of local peaches and pears, their classic roster of traditional, hopped, blueberry, cranberry and more is always available.
553 Main St., Bethlehem 610.625.3744 | hardballcider.com
Snicklefritz
Pappy’s Orchard shares its bakery and farmers’ market premises with son-of-the-owners David Urffer’s relatively new, small-batch hard cider operation.
Studying abroad in Wales showed Urffer a scene where cider and beer have more equal footing, and he came home with a view to transform his family’s crops into some stellar cider. Some are made with a blend, while others, like Golden Rush, give one apple center stage. Best-selling Perfectly Peach is wine made from sweet summer peaches. A new orchard planted with 12 varieties of hard cider apples will further what Snicklefritz can create. Urffer invites visitors to talk and taste around the picnic table in nice weather.
Since 2014, in the privately funded research winery tucked away in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in Center Valley, Damian Siekonic has been collaborating with historians to resurrect ciders as they were enjoyed hundreds of years ago. Following old recipes like those from William
Blackledge
Penn’s wife, Gulielma, and cookbook author Eliza Smith (“The Betty Crocker of her day,” says Siekonic), Blackledge’s sulfite-free ciders and meads are made with the area’s heirloom apples and natural, native yeast, even using 250-year-old ivory hydrometers in the process.
Blackledge’s tasting room is only accessible by private appointment, but the ciders are sold at The Tavern at Sun Inn, McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn and, now, The Great Barn Brewery Tap Room in New Hope. This fall, Blackledge debuts Eliza Smith’s 1727 mead, aged in a French oak barrel and spiced with ginger, lemon, cloves, rosemary and sweet briar.
2822 Stonesthrow Rd., Center Valley 484.226.8263 | blackledgewinery.com
Banter’s
After much earnest trial and error, the inspiration gleaned from an Ontario cidery he visited on vacation finally bore fruit in Steve Brancato’s home-brew experiments. Now, Banter’s Hard Cider is available from its tasting room in Stroudsburg as well as two spots in the Lehigh Valley. At the Colony Meadery in Allentown, one can sample the honey-based beverage and flights of Banter’s, which is made in part on the premises. Easton Public Market’s Scratch also serves the cider.
Not too sweet but plenty flavorful, Banter’s brews with fruit, such as apricot, blueberry, grapes, peaches, pears and, for fall 2018’s returning favorite, Red Rite, the juice of sour cherries. This season, they’re launching small-batch Warpaint Wines, including a merlot and seyval blanc from California and a concord and niagara from the Finger Lakes.
35 N. 7th St., Stroudsburg 570.399.1080 | bantershardcider.com
Hardball
Snicklefritz
Photo by
A Gracious Ambassador Social Still
By Carrie Havranek | Photography by Alison Conklin
“We are starting to create a name for ourselves,” says Adam Flatt, owner of Social Still in SouthSide Bethlehem, along with his wife, Kate. It feels like an unseemly or maybe even ironic thing to say after four years in business, but restaurants take time to really catch on. Social Still, however, isn’t your run-of-the-mill restaurant. It’s also a distillery. Or maybe it’s a distillery with a restaurant. Or a distillery restaurant in an old bank dating back 100 years or so, with many original interior details intact, such as marble floors and the original vault. Ah, it all depends on your perspective!
Social Still became the first one to open in the Lehigh Valley since Prohibition.
limited distillery licenses available, and Social Still became the first one to open in the Lehigh Valley since Prohibition. The entire process can be described in the words Flatt says his mother often uses: “It’s ready, go, set!”
As the story goes, Flatt, whose mother Elaine Pivinski owns Franklin Hill Vineyards, became inspired to open a distillery after visiting some that appealed to him in Colorado. In 2012, after much lobbying on the part of some distillers, Pennsylvania began to make
In other words, running a business like this one is a little like putting the proverbial cart before the horse. You have to be able to jump in when you are ready, but it takes time
before things become sorted and settled into an order. And even when that does start to happen, food and beverage businesses require a dynamic approach, because trends are always changing, dining habits shift, beverage preferences need attention and so forth. (Social Still is always trying new aging techniques, for example.) So that ethos is pretty much modus operandi. “You have to
be fearless at times in order to create something new,” says Flatt.
But that’s a digression. In the beginning, the menu was much more limited than it is now; it was full of tapas and a seriously innovative and well-focused cocktail menu. One might remember it more as a tasting room with light fare. Perhaps, like some folks, you didn’t realize Social Still also served food, or the restaurant was actually also operating as a distillery. (Flatt says this happens sometimes—people don’t put the pieces together, despite the plain-sight evidence of distilling equipment.) Such a combo, along with the allure of house-made spirits in an architecturally compelling space, marked Social Still as a great place for a first date. And, let’s face it, just a cool spot to check out, regardless of your level of attachment.
Of course, things morph, and because of the hybrid nature of the business, balancing the demands of both a distillery and what has turned into a full-fledged restaurant, ownership needs to be especially plugged in and responsive. These days, Social Still isn’t just a place for tapas and cocktails, although guests will be rewarded with both, especially the latter, when sitting at the bar and engaging their bartenders in conversation. (That’s how you discover what kinds of infusions and bitters they’re experimenting with, and how to find great cocktail ideas that may not be on the menu.) In July, Social Still added lunch, Tuesday through Saturday. And the menu, in general, has grown through the years to include a wider range of dishes, with foods that are sourced as locally and seasonally as possible. It, too, is still well-focused, but Flatt notes, “We accidentally found ourselves heavy on seafood.” It’s something people really enjoy ordering when they go out; a well-executed piece of fish or an order of scallops, for example, is rewarding. Despite all the fish and seafood, patrons won’t find fried calamari on the menu— they don’t do much to fry such ingredients. And you’ll find choices, too, if your diet tends toward mostly plants.
“Everything is super, super fresh,” says Chris Kurtz, the head chef, who arrived at Social Still in 2016 after training at the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, New Jersey, and working in various parts of the aforementioned Garden State, including Atlantic City. The freshness is, in part, due to the fact that Social Still doesn’t have any walk-in refrigeration—which is not to say they’re without refrigeration (don’t worry!). They just don’t have excessive storage for food. “The purveyors we use, we get things every day,” he says.
Social Stack Burger
“Almost everything is made from scratch,” says Flatt. Restaurants that operate without walk-in refrigeration need to be so much more scrupulous about how much food they order so as to eliminate waste. “People aren’t accustomed to that. It’s a challenge, but it’s great marketing,” says Flatt. It’s kind of an accidentally smart marketing move. Sustainability isn’t sustainable unless it works for the farmers, the diners and the restaurant owners, right?
Social Still changes things up on the menu a few times a year, but many items will always remain. The crab cake, for example, is a mainstay, along with the Jail Island salmon—guests might see changes in its preparation or accompaniments. One of the more unique items on the menu at
Social Still includes the seared sea Scallops. They’re served with a sushi-styled roll that consists of Thai peanut noodles—yes, noodles that are rolled in maki like a sushi roll. House-picked veggies are part of this, but it’s the unusual nature of this starter that makes it a hit.
Another popular snack is the Smokehouse Nachos. The kitchen has come up with its own ancho-ranch seasoning blend that imparts a Doritos-like flavor to the tortilla chips, but without that telltale orange residue left behind. The nachos
1000 Island dressing, American cheese, lettuce, onion, pickle, a sesame seed bun
are drizzled with a sharp cheddar cheese fondue mixed with Social Still’s own bourbon, along with brisket, chipotle black beans and other accompaniments. Kurtz notes they smoke 120 pounds of brisket per week, which takes 12 hours from start to finish. Another riff on a pop-culture food item is the Social Stack, a burger with two four-ounce patties and a series of condiments and a taste that is reminiscent of a major burger chain, without all the negative connotations that such a burger
...they cold-soaked a custom roast of coffee beans in its premium bourbon...
might carry. “It’s everything you want a Big Mac to be, but never is,” says Kurtz.
A place like Social Still is continuously inno vating when it comes to its cocktails, for multiple reasons. First of all, there is no end to people’s interest in local spirits—especially America’s original spirit, bourbon. So that drives the process. “I think folks are so happy that we’re distilling right from the grain here in Bethlehem. And locals love to gift our spirits to friends and families who may not live here. People in Bethlehem are very community-minded,” says Andrea Blumstein, general manager.
Locavorism has its own unique role in the creation of new cocktails at Social Still, but not in the stereotypical way a restaurant or bar uses local produce in season. No, cocktails need to be inventive because Social Still doesn’t have the same kind of license as a regular restaurant and
bar; it’s limited to Pennsylvania wine and beer and, of course, its own spirits (and it means they have to stop serving at 11 p.m.). “Our bartenders are like chefs,” says Blumstein. At any given moment, they are working with potentially several dozen house-made bitters, infusions and tinctures, made from things such as coffee, orange, ginger turmeric, habanero, peach—you name it. Be on the lookout for rebranding (new names and graphically engaging labels) on their Vanilla Maple Bourbon (renamed Sasquatch), Freakshow (bourbon) and White Witch (spiced rum); the latter two are in the process of being rolled out over the coming months.
If you’ve been paying attention to the craft spirits world, or the spirits world in general, you likely know that it’s experiencing a well-deserved surge, something we wrote about several years ago, after Social Still, Triple Sun, Eight Oaks and County Seat all became operational. Much in the way people become enamored of their local brew and seek out new and unusual beers, the same is happening in craft spirits. (One of Social Still’s recent creations was the Barista Bourbon—in which they cold-soaked a custom roast of coffee beans in its premium bourbon—a collaboration with Lit, right down the street.) New technologies are driving the industry forward when it comes to flavor, aging and so forth. Still, Flatt says that people “in the know” always ask for rye whiskey. And they take their role seriously at Social Still, whether it’s trying to create a memorable experience for people with excellent service and presentation, or something that’s part of the bigger picture.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Rich chocolate sponge cake, peanut buttercream
Smokehouse Nachos
Social Still
Hours
The retail shop is open the same hours as the restaurant; Tues.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Tours are available on Saturdays at 3 p.m. for $10 and include sampling.
Parking
Lot adjacent to the building, street parking
Reservations
Recommended for weekends
Payment
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
What to Order
Social Stack, Smokehouse Nachos, Seared Scallops. Cocktails? Lady Marmalade is signature; Moscow Mule is their biggest seller.
Specials
Tues.: 4–8 p.m.: $5 craft beers and $5 tacos; Wed.: 4–8 p.m.: $5 Franklin Hill wine and local cheese plate (such as Calkins Creamery from Honesdale); Thurs.: 4–8 p.m.: $8 Bourbon & BBQ with featured items from the onsite smoker; Fri.: 4–6 p.m.: $5 specialty fries and $6 bartender’s choice cocktail specials.
Photo by Marco Calderon
DINING GUIDE
Order the Shelby’s Garden salad at the Insider Happy Hour on October 9.
Key Carbon
Style Award Winner
Gluten-Free Options
Vegetarian Options
Wheelchair Accessible
Serves Alcohol BYOB
*Advertisers are highlighted in red.
Berks
Live Entertainment
Outdoor Seating
Entrée Price Range:
$ under $15
$$ $15-$25
$$$ $25+
Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery $$
340 Old Rte. 22, Kutztown, 484.452.3633, folinoestate.com
Italian restaurant making homemade pasta, sauces, desserts and more! Serving lunch and dinner Wed.–Sun. and brunch 10 a.m.–1 p.m. on Sun. Brunch, lunch & dinner.
Gracie’s 21 st Century Cafe
$$$ 1534 Manatawny Dr., Pine Forge, 610.323.4004, gracies21stcentury.com
Serving local organics for 30 years. Always an experience in any season. Civilized decadence in the country. Dinner.
The Grille at Bear Creek $$ 101 Doe Mountain Ln., Macungie, 610.641.7149, bcmountainresort.com
Features modern American cuisine, a full-service bar, scenic views and award-winning outdoor dining. Dinner & late night.
Unique hearth-fired cuisine in a warm, uptown atmosphere. Closed Sun. and Mon. Lunch & dinner.
Landis Store Hotel $$$
4 Baldy Hill Rd., Boyertown, 610.845.2324, landis-store.com
Providing a dynamic menu of culinary delicacies served with the hospitality of a country inn. The Landis Store is happy to accommodate any special dining requests or dietary needs. Lunch & dinner.
Bucks
McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn $-$$$
4 S. Main St., Quakertown, 215.538.1776, mccoolesredlioninn.com
Offering a dining room, martini lounge and bar in a beautifully restored inn from the 1700s. Monthly featured wines and brews from their own Red Lion Brewery. Also offering a complementary door-to-door and hotel shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the restaurant to bar and restaurant patrons, as well as private events at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place. Brunch, lunch & dinner.
Slopeside Pub & Grill
1660 Blue Mountain Dr., Palmerton, 610.824.1557, skibluemt.com
$-$$$
Offers indoor dining in addition to their ever-popular outdoor dining! Guests will enjoy delicious food, tasty drinks and unforgettable scenic views all year round. Lunch & dinner.
Lehigh
Aladdin Restaurant $$
651 Union Blvd., Allentown, 610.437.4023, aladdinlv.com
Family owned and operated for over 30 years. Serving a variety of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine from homemade grape leaves to delicious shish kabobs. Lunch & dinner.
Alburtis Tavern $
106 S. Main St., Alburtis, 610.928.0404, alburtistavern.com
Family-friendly restaurant with American style food. Mon.: Clam night, Tues.: Wing night, Wed.: Fiesta night. Two private banquet rooms perfect for parties. Brunch, lunch & dinner.
Allentown Brew Works $$
812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, 610.433.7777, thebrewworks.com
Award winning, environmentally friendly restaurant and brewery. Family owned and operated since 2007. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
Bell Hall $
612 W. Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, 610.437.1825, bellhallallentown.com
Allentown hot spot featuring juicy burgers and Pennsylvania craft beers. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Authentic Sicilian/Italian cuisine, including several unique dishes created daily in a European setting, complete with an outdoor bar and courtyard. Lunch & dinner.
Billy’s Downtown Diner $
840 Hamilton St., Allentown , 610.432.5484, billysdiner.com
Not your ordinary diner. Visit them for breakfast, lunch or something sweet. Breakfast & lunch.
Authentic Mexican restaurant with fresh food and very friendly ambiance and service with affordable prices. Lunch & dinner.
Foundation Tavern $$
1160 S. Krocks Rd., Wescosville, 610.391.0648, foundationtavern.com
Lunch, dinner & late night.
Gio Italian Grill $$
6465 Village Ln., Macungie, 610.966.9446, gioitaliangrill.com
Gio Italian Grill offers old world charm with a progressive twist. Centering around their woodstone open flame hearth, Gio uses only imported ingredients to produce mouth-watering flavors. Take-out and private parties available. Lunch & dinner.
Come experience dining at the Farm’s Table. Many of the ingredients are grown and raised on our sustainable farm just ten minutes west of Allentown. Their new Grand Lodge is open year-round and accommodates up to 150 guests. The Glasbern offers options for both rustic and elegant weddings, great views for outdoor ceremonies, overnight lodging options, meeting rooms and spa facilities. Lunch & dinner.
An eatery where the food’s good, the atmosphere’s comfortable and jeans-worthy, and the service feels like family. Live music Fri.-Sat., and Karaoke Thurs. Lunch & dinner.
622 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.691.8111, mayflowerlunch.com
Cozy Bethlehem staple serving hot breakfast and good conversation for more than 50 years. Real food from mom’s kitchen. Breakfast, brunch & lunch.
Melt $$$
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.798.9000, meltgrill.com
Offering a sumptuous menu of contemporary Italian fare in its breathtaking 350-seat restaurant, with spacious and customizable rooms for private events. Lunch, dinner & late night.
The Mint Gastropub $$
1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.419.3810, bethlehemmint.com
An American Gastropub focused on reinventing the “Table” in Comfortable. Brunch, dinner & late night.
A warm and welcoming atmosphere in a unique orchard-side setting featuring delectable American continental cuisine. Dinner.
Ringers Roost $$
1801 W. Liberty St., Allentown, 610.437.4941, ringersroost1801.com
Family-friendly restaurant. Lots of parking. Friendly faces. Excellent food, from seafood to cheesesteaks. Great beer selection. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Roma Ristorante $$
925 Airport Center Dr., Allentown, 610.841.7662, romapa.com
Serving only the finest and freshest Italian dishes to the Lehigh Valley. Lunch & dinner.
Salvatore Ruffino’s $-$$
1902 Allen St., Allentown , 610.437.3621, salruffinospizza.com
Offering the most authentic, traditional Italian dishes made according to their carefully guarded family recipes. All dishes are made-to-order using only the freshest ingredients. Lunch & dinner.
A culinary gem housed in the historic Seisholtzville Hotel, Savory Grille takes gives back to a time when fine dining was an experience to be savored. Dinner.
Sumo Japanese Restaurant $$
3174 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, 610.351.1887, sumopa.com
Fresh, beautifully presented sushi and Japanese fusion dishes, served in a modern atmosphere. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Neapolitan pizza using local ingredients cooked in their Italian wood oven for guests to enjoy. Lunch & dinner.
The Tavern on Liberty $
2246 W. Liberty St., Allentown, 484.221.8765, tavernonliberty.com
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of beer.” Check out other location in Reading called The Liberty Taproom. Open seven days a week. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Thai Avenue Restaurant $$
4791 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, 610.351.9496, thaiavenuerestaurant.com
New-experience Thai food in Allentown. Lunch & dinner.
Torre $$
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.9399, torrerestaurant.com
Classic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist in a fun, familyfriendly atmosphere. Enjoy Happy Hour gathered around the three-story tequila tower. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
Upscale food in a fun, relaxed atmosphere with an extensive craft beer list. Brunch, dinner & late night.
Union and Finch $$ 1528 W. Union St., Allentown, 610.432.1522, unionandfinch.com
A casual American bistro serving lunch and dinner six days a week and brunch on weekends Brunch, lunch & dinner.
White Orchids Thai Cuisine $$
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.7499, whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com
Authentic Thai cuisine in a contemporary and relaxed dining atmosphere. Signature seafood dishes, house specialties and classic Thai entrées. New bar and lounge area. Lunch & dinner.
Youell’s Oyster House $$$ 2249 Walnut St., Allentown, 610.439.1203, youellsoysterhouse.com
Sea to table since 1895. The region’s destination for fresh seafood and steaks. Dinner.
Northampton
1741 on the Terrace $$$
437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2219, hotelbethlehem.com
The award-winning culinary team takes pride in presenting seasonal menus combined with the 1741 classic. Dinner.
A Ca Mia $$
4330 Lehigh Dr , Walnutport, 610.760.3207, acamiapa.com
Unique, homemade, Italian cuisine made with fresh flavorful ingredients; served in a family-friendly atmosphere. Lunch & dinner.
Apollo Grill $$$
85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem , 610.865.9600, apollogrill.com
Bistro-style restaurant encouraging a grazing dining experience. Comfortable, friendly, sophisticated and lively. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Bethlehem Brew Works $$
559 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.882.1300, thebrewworks.com
Award winning, environmentally friendly restaurant and brewery. Family owned and operated since 1998. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
Billy’s Downtown Diner $
10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.867.0105, billysdiner.com
Not your ordinary diner. Visit them in Historic Downtown Bethlehem for breakfast, lunch or something sweet. Breakfast & lunch.
Black Forest Deli $
745 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem, 610.865.3036, bethlehemdeli.com
They pride themselves on serving the freshest and tastiest lunch in town. Lunch & dinner.
From a party of four on the covered outdoor patio to a party of 400 in the newly renovated event center ballroom, blue delivers with prime steaks and seafood, a sprawling wine list and impeccable service. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
Bolete is a fine dining restaurant where the team’s care and passion for what they do is evident in each carefully and skillfully prepared dish. Brunch, lunch & dinner.
The Bookstore Speakeasy $$
336 Adams St. (near 4 th St.), Bethlehem, 610.867.1100, bookstorespeakeasy.com
Step back in time at The Bookstore, a 1920’s speakeasy. Dinner & late night.
The Lehigh Valley’s premiere sports grille, offering signature homemade recipes. Two great locations. Brunch, lunch & dinner.
Corked $$
515 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.9463, corkedwinebar.com
Up beat/high energy Vegas-style wine bar & steak house located in downtown Bethlehem. Offering 32 wines by the glass, 24 tap beers, 1 great menu. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Homestyle Italian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. On- and off-premises catering available. Lunch & dinner.
DiMaio’s Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria $$
27 Main St. Shoppes at Hellertown, 610.838.8004, dimaios.net
Family owned since 1985. Serving southern Italian Cuisine. Known for home-made bread, Chicken Francese, DiMaio’s Creamy Clam sauce and NY style pizza. Lunch & dinner.
Fine diner-ing at its best. Handmade, fresh food, craft beer, libations and desserts. Call ahead seating available. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
Maxim’s 22 bistro and brasserie is the latest from the awardwinning Sette Luna team. Known for comfortable french fare in a casual setting. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub $$$
534 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.861.7631, redstagpub.com
Experience the flavor of the Irish and British Isles! Over 200 scotch/whiskies, homemade breads and baked goods and from-scratch cooking! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.
A European Spanish, Italian and American restaurant which features dishes with an emphasis on home cooking and fresh local ingredients. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Mitzi’s Table $
Don Juan Mex Grill $
5540 Crawford Dr., Bethlehem 518 March St. Easton, 610.438.5661, donjuanmexgrill.com
Bringing Latin-inspired food to local communities. Lunch & dinner.
Edge Restaurant $$$
74 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.814.0100, edgerestaurant.net
An all-scratch kitchen “combined with a fun, relaxed atmosphere, you get edge.” Lunch, dinner & late night.
Retro dining—all day brunch—classic comfort food kicked up with regional and ethnic specialties. Breakfast, brunch & lunch.
Molinari’s $$
322 E. 3 rd St., Bethlehem, 610.625.9222, molinarimangia.com
Authentic Italian food—simple, fresh, flavorful. Indulge in freshly made pasta, pizza in the Neapolitan style, gelato and sorbetto made on premises, and Italian wines and craft beers. Dinner.
13 E. 4 th St., Bethlehem, 610.691.0388, nawabindianrestaurant.com
Nawab has been voted Best of the Valley for 13 years in Lehigh Valley Magazine. Offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Vegan friendly. Lunch & dinner.
Discover an exciting new menu featuring notable additions including Grilled Octopus, a raw bar and so much more. Dinner.
Hampton Winds $$-$$$
Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Rd., Bethlehem 610.861.4549, northampton.edu
Enjoy leisurely gourmet dining at reasonable prices in this handsome restaurant, showcasing the talents of the college’s culinary arts students. Lunch & dinner.
Choice steaks, seafood, veal, lamb and pasta. Lunch & dinner.
Jenny’s Kuali $
102 E. 4 th St., Bethlehem, 610.758.8088, jennyskuali.com
Offering Malaysian cuisine, vegetarian entrees and noodle dishes freshly prepared in house every day. Lunch & dinner.
Jumbars $$
1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem, 610.866.1660, jumbars.com
Great food. Great atmosphere. Everything made fresh to order. Desserts are delectable! Breakfast & lunch.
Classic American steakhouse with an extensive wine list and beautiful destination decor. Dinner.
Ocean $$
235 Ferry St., Easton, 610.559.7211, ocean235.com
With an eclectic, diverse menu and a New York restaurant and lounge feel, Ocean is the place to experience before a State show or for a romantic dinner in Easton’s growing new restaurant scene. Dinner & late night.
Pearly Baker’s $$
11 Centre Square, Easton, 610.253.9949, pearlybakers.net
Great food, casual fine dining, long marble bar, historic setting, unpretentious, attentive staff, classic ambiance. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Porters’ Pub & Restaurant has been a landmark in downtown Easton for more than 25 years. Their food is definitely a cut above standard pub fare and moderately priced. More than 80 micros and imports. Lunch, dinner & late night.
Prime Steak House $$
325 Stoke Park Rd., Bethlehem, 610.882.4070, primestkhouse.com
Serving Premium Black Angus steaks, fresh seafood, chicken and pasta. Extended wine list Lunch & dinner.
Rustic Italian featuring wood oven pizza, homemade pasta, alfresco dining. The enoteca boasts the Valley’s most exten sive wine and beer list. Private wine cellar and live jazz every weekend. Brunch, lunch & dinner.
Social Still $$$
530 E. 3 rd St., Bethlehem, 610.625.4585, socialstill.com
Full plate American-fusion restaurant, craft distillery, craft beers, local wine and tasting room. Dinner.
Experience a variety of fresh culinary dishes from around the world at Steelworks Buffet & Grill. Featuring live action cooking and a fully-stocked bar, guests will enjoy a variety of fresh international culinary dishes at the all-you-can-eat buffet or choose their favorites from the a la carte menu, including san pizza, a pasta station, sushi, fresh-carved meats, and Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
“Traditional Italian Taste, Modern Italian Flair” Family-owned and -operated in the Lehigh Valley for over 26 years. Take-out, dine-in, lounge and banquet facilities available. Lunch & dinner.
Stefano’s Sicilian Grille $$
5364 Nor Bath Blvd. (Rte. 329), Northampton, 610.262.8760, stefanossiciliangrille.com
Italian restaurant with a Sicilian flair. Family-oriented with a casual attitude. Lunch & dinner.
Tap Room at Hotel
Bethlehem $$
437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2226, hotelbethlehem.com
Offers award-winning musical brunch every Sunday with a splendid buffet array and much more! Breakfast, lunch, dinner & late night.
Thai Thai II $$
509 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.868.1919, facebook.com/thaithaiII Lunch & dinner.
Twisted Olive
$$$
51 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.419.1200, twistedolivebethlehem.com
A casual, bistro-style restaurant with a world twist serving creative, casual cuisine, along with house-made infused cocktails. Lunch & dinner.
Historic country inn offering American cuisine for dinner. Victorian tearoom and lunch by day. Lunch & dinner.
Widow’s Tavern and Grille $$
200 Main St., Stockertown, 610.365.8890, widowstavern.com
Casual dining with an upscale feel. American cuisine with an Asian flair to please any palate. Beautiful, friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Entertainment every Wed. starting at 7 p.m., and Sat. starting at 9 p.m. Lunch & dinner.
Lehigh Valley Style (ISSN 1540-0867) is published monthly by IDP Publications, 3245 Freemansburg Ave., Palmer, PA 18045-7118. Annual subscriptions are $19.95 (Canadian and foreign one year rate is $40, U.S. funds only). Single copy price $3.95. Postage
DRINK THIS Bubble Tea Yobo Cafe
By Kristen Rinaldi | Photography by Alison Conklin
“I’m so passionate about bubble tea,” says Snow Li, owner of Yobo Cafe and a soon-to-be graduate of Lehigh University. The café is a full-on passion project for this senior, who started the business in the fall of 2017 with another Lehigh student. She says the majority of customers are fellow Lehigh classmates, admitting that the summers can get a little slow without a semester full of students within walking distance, but anyone who appreciates bubble tea— or is interested in giving it a try—is more than welcome to come hang out in this cozy spot!
Li says the drink is super popular in China, but when she learned how many calories, trans fats and artificial ingredients are typically used, she wanted to create her own healthier recipes. At Yobo Cafe, they use honey instead of sugar or syrup, real tea (many imported from China) and real milk instead of powders. The drink can be made lactose-free, with almond or soy milk. And, of course, the “boba” at the bottom of the teas are boiled balls of tapioca. Ask for a layer of milk foam, made from cream cheese, at the top of your tea for the perfect mix of sweet and salty.
The most popular bubble tea Yobo serves is the “Brown & White,” representing Lehigh University school spirit, but the flavor combinations are endless. The Purple Taro, pictured here, is made with real taro roots and is a house special, meaning Li personally developed the recipe with her team. At the time of press, they were about to launch a brown sugar creation and were also developing their own spin on Harry Potter’s famous butter beer.
7 W. 4th St., Bethlehem yobocafe
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
Order the Hong Kong Egg Waffle, layered with the ice cream, syrup and toppings of your choice!
